Summer Family Events at Willesden Jewish Cemetery

 

Guest post by Irina Porter

Where would you go on a sunny day to enjoy exploring outdoors in the cool shade of the trees, stunning flowers and urban wildlife? Where can you do this with all the family – from the young ones to the grandparents – experiencing something educational and fascinating? To the cemetery, of course!

 

Willesden Jewish Cemetery (WJC) is not just a place of remembrance, but also a beautiful sanctuary full of life. It is a 20 acre oasis of nature, combined with a beautiful architectural landscape, right in the middle of a busy built up area. Adjacent to Roundwood Park, it forms part of a large green corridor where nature thrives, and it is now open for everyone to explore and enjoy.

WJC opened in 1873 as a garden cemetery. It was nearly full by the 1960s, and now only 20 funerals a year take place there. In 2015, an innovative project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and other benefactors transformed the cemetery into a heritage attraction, with historic displays, interpretation boards, information leaflets, free car parking, disabled access and toilets. The new Heritage Centre welcomes visitors of all faiths and cultures, telling the story of the Jewish community in London and beyond. If you happen to drop by during the opening hours (see the website for details: https://www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk), a friendly volunteer will show you what’s on offer and answer your questions.

Volunteers are at the heart of what we do: from gardening to guided tours, from historical research to front of house. Our friendly team is there to contribute passion, time and expertise to our common cause – to bring this gem of history and nature to a wider audience.

The cemetery runs a busy programme, which includes guided walks, family history advice, Death Café, schools’ visits, World War commemorations and nature events.

This summer we are launching a new programme of activities, aimed at families and children:

 

On Sunday 14 July join us for our Family Discovery Day, a morning of nature exploration, something unique and fascinating for the whole family. A short guided walk offers an introduction to what we have to offer to a young nature lover, as well as taking in the beauty of a historic architectural landscape. Throughout the morning children will be able to take part in creative workshops, such as making bug hotels and butterflies. Our volunteers will share the remarkable stories of some very special people connected with the cemetery. Plus: try on a special hat for a perfect photo opportunity!

If you fancy exploring the cemetery by yourself, we offer discovery trails tailored for different school ages, which uncover stories and secrets hidden within the cemetery's grounds. From spotting symbols of Jewish traditions to unravelling mysteries surrounding intriguing figures, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

For the grown-ups, we offer a leaflet with a map and life stories of 20 remarkable individuals, which will help you navigate through our enchanting gardens and significant monuments as well as a FREE guide on Bloomberg connects: https://www.bloombergconnects.org/

The event is free, there is a small charge of £5 per family for craft activities. For more information and to book, visit: (https://www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk/events/family-discovery)

If you cannot make 14 July, check out our summer workshops for children. Discover the Wonders of Nature sessions which will run on 24 and 31 July, 2pm – 4 pm. We’ll take a short nature walk through our beautiful grounds, exploring the hidden gems of our local ecosystem with our knowledgeable guides. Following the walk, we will run a craft session.

 

 

Using materials sourced from the great outdoors, let your imagination soar as you create beautiful works of art inspired by the wonders of the environment. From nature mosaics to bug hotels, there's something for everyone to enjoy! https://www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk/events/nature-holiday-workshops

Every Wednesday morning in August we will run Creative Collage Workshops. Inspired by the cemetery and expressing this on paper, create beautiful and meaningful collages which tell stories of the past, stirred by the evocative landscape. The workshops are aimed at primary school children but will be suitable and enjoyable for all ages. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Advance booking is essential. https://www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk/events/creative-workshops.

Please feel free to get in touch if you have further questions: either by email (heritage@theus.org.uk) or phone (020 8459 6107). We will be happy to hear from you and welcome you to our very special historic green space.

 

Polish pilots and a Jewish Cemetery – two talks at Kingsbury Library this month

Guest post by Philip Grant

Brent Libraries are putting on a good variety of events this month, but this is about two at Kingsbury Library (see poster), and especially the first talk, which I am looking forward to.

I was pleased to read two articles in the “Kilburn Times” (1^st November), which drew attention to the part played, on the British side, by Indian and Somali soldiers during the First World War. Many of us have grown up with a view of history which fails to acknowledge the contribution made by those not of a typically “British” background, and are only now learning the full picture. Richard King’s illustrated talk on Thursday 15^th November (2-3pm) is another example of this, from the Second World War.

Most of you reading this will have heard of the Polish War Memorial, but it is more than just the name of a roundabout on the A40, mentioned in travel bulletins on the radio. It is the reminder of a close link between Britain and Poland which goes back to the dark days of 1939 and 1940.

Although the prospect of war with Nazi Germany had been growing for several years, it was Hitler's invasion of Poland in September 1939 which triggered World War Two. Although their country was soon overrun, some of Poland's pilots managed to escape, and make their way to France, then Britain.

At first there was some political resistance – they were “foreigners”, they spoke little or no English. However, by June 1940 they were accepted as volunteers into the RAF, and organised into their own squadrons. 303 (Polish) Squadron, based at Northolt aerodrome, was one of the first of these.

Pilots of 303 (Polish) Squadron in October 1940 (courtesy of the RAF Museum)

It soon became apparent that the skills and combat experience which the pilots had brought with them matched, or even exceeded, that of their British and Commonwealth comrades. Many of the fighter pilots who defended the skies over West London, and beyond, from Luftwaffe bombers during the Battle of Britain were Poles, and a number of them died in the conflict. That is a story which deserves to be known, and will be told at Kingsbury Library on 15^th November.

Philip Grant.

The Facebook Page for Willesden Jewish cemetery which records the heritage project there can be found HERE

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