Sponsored by
Target reached for iconic stairs
Diana Watts, Helen Powell, Roger Jenkinson, Malcolm Haigh, Judith Greenwood and Steven Micklethwaite where the new steps would be at the Twin Chapels Centre in Batley Cemetery. (d17101106)
AFTER more than two years of tireless fundraising, a band of volunteers have secured the money to restore a Batley landmark.
Batley Cemetery Support Group has gone beyond its target of £13,470 to rebuild the Stairway to Infinity.
The stone staircase, designed by Walter Hanstock in 1866, was originally installed to create a route from the lower to the upper slopes of the cemetery and to create a spiritually uplifting experience for visitors.
Kirklees Council removed the steps in 1979 but now the iconic steps will be rebuilt for a new generation.
Batley Cemetery Support Group co-ordinator Judith Greenwood said the group’s achievement took a while to sink in.
“It’s been such a long time raising the money.
“It’s such a big boost. Something new is happening that we can all be proud of and will last for the next 100 years.”
The group has managed to raise £999 more than their target, which will be spent on lighting for the stairway.
The group was pushed over its total by a generous donation from the community of the Snowden Street Mosque and member Akooji Badat.
Recently it also received a boost from a government-funded Community First Panel, who provided a grant of £2,040 with the condition that the rebuilding project take on a NEET apprentice – a young person not in employment, education or training – who will work with builder Paul Frain.
At 2pm on Sunday September 9 the deputy mayor of Kirklees, Coun Martyn Bolt (Con, Mirfield), will join Mr Frain in breaking first ground at the cemetery.
Work will begin soon afterwards.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Batley
Tuesday 21 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: North west
