Upcoming Events & Notices
Friends of the British Cemetery
Lisbon, Portugal
An Invitation to Support the Maintenance and Restoration of a Historic Cemetery
In 1654, a treaty was negotiated between Oliver Cromwell and King João IV of Portugal. Part of the terms of this treaty were that English subjects, residing in Lisbon, should have a plot of land allocated to them "fit for the burial of their dead" situated in the Lisbon area. No action took place for sixty years owing to objections from the Portuguese Inquisition. However, when land was finally found, a burial ground consisting of both English and Dutch leases was created, and the first recorded burial was on 20th August 1721, being that of Mary Paulsen. The earliest surviving headstone inscription is that of Francis La Roche, a French Huguenot, buried in 1724. Over the centuries many notable persons have been interred within the walls, including Henry Fielding, writer, playwright and magistrate, whose most famous work was 'The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling'. However many nationalities and faiths are represented in those whose remains lie at rest in the cemetery.
Cemeteries do not attract an enormous number of income streams and yet historic cemeteries, such as ours, require a great deal of care and maintenance to keep them available for public view. At the British Cemetery, our main income derives, naturally, from burials and reservation of burial plots. We also receive an annual sum to upkeep war graves from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. But, apart from this, we are dependent upon the generosity of visitors and supporters who make donations towards upkeep, and the efforts of our gardener and the volunteer gardening group to keep the cemetery looking nice.
This barely keeps things going. The Cemetery Committee has therefore agreed to proceed with the formation of a 'Friends of the British Cemetery' whose purpose is to seek out those who either have a link to the cemetery, in terms of relations buried here, and/or, those who want to help support this historic cemetery. Anyone interested will be asked to pledge an annual donation (minimum €50) by means of a form, stating the amount and whether this is for family graves in particular, or for the general upkeep of the cemetery.
As the British Cemetery is a charity, there may be an opportunity for those living in countries where this is possible, to offset the annual donation against the donor's tax burden. However it is up to the individual to ascertain whether this is possible. Payment is to be made by Bank IBAN transfer (the British Cemetery IBAN will be sent to anyone completing a donation form). It should be stressed that a donor should ensure to make the donation in such a way that the fully pledged amount is received into the fund, free of any fees that may be charged in making it. They will also be asked to give a data protection disclaimer so that correct records can be kept for administration/taxation purposes as documentation will need to be maintained of all donations to this fund for scrutiny by the Portuguese authorities.
All donors, who make annual donations for maintenance of specific graves, will have those graves thoroughly weeded and tidied twice a year, or specified time on request, and photographs will be sent to the donor. Any concerning condition issues will be reported to the donor at that time, however it must be stressed that cost of remedial work on any memorials would be the responsibility of the donor, in addition to the annual donation. This is because stone work is very expensive to carry out.
Donors will be able visit the cemetery during opening hours (or, given appropriate prior warning, at other times if that is possible) and to be conducted on a private tour if they wish. They will also receive a six monthly newsletter specifically for 'Friends' and also 'The Cem' newsletter which contains articles about the cemetery. Donors will also have the right to a reasonable amount of research on graves of interest, based on records held at the Cemetery, carried out free of charge by myself.
Please send all enquiries initially to me, John Pead (Honorary Historian to the British Cemetery) and I will answer your questions or disseminate information to all officers who need to know and to action requests. Completed forms should be filled in, signed and dated, and a scan sent to ArchiveLisbonCem@gmail.com
May I take this opportunity on behalf of the Administrator of the British Cemetery and the Chaplain, to thank you for your generosity and interest in preserving what is not only a historic cemetery, but also a truly beautiful space of peace and serenity, hidden in the heart of Lisbon.
with all best wishes,
John Pead BSc.
Honorary Historian
The British Cemetery
Lisbon, Portugal
Call for Volunteers
The British Cemetery has a great need for volunteers. It is only through the generous giving of individuals that we are able to open the Cemetery during weekdays. It would be wonderful to also have the historic church open on a daily basis, but we need a separate list of volunteers to make this possible.
If anyone feels they can offer a morning as a volunteer for either of these two purposes, or, if you would like to offer your help in other aspects of the daily life of the Cem please email either me at ArchiveLisbonCem@gmail.com or the Chaplain, Beth Bendrey, at chaplain@lisbonanglicans.org .
Thank you.
Call for Gardeners
The British Cemetery is a beautiful haven, which is not only a historic cemetery, but also a garden with many trees and plants. Although we have a permanent gardener, his time is limited each week and he cannot possibly micro garden the many sections which make up the cemetery.
Over the past few years, a growing number of valiant individuals have volunteered to undertake gardening when they are available. We would ask anyone who can give a little of their time to gardening, to contact John Pead (Honorary Historian) on archivelisboncem@gmail.com. Gardening is, at present carried out by the Gardening Group on Mondays and Fridays from 10.30am to 1pm. The group are guided as to which subsection to trim, weed and beautify and tools are provided, although if volunteers can also bring small tools and gloves to use, that would be very useful. Also if anyone wishes to donate tools, this would be very welcome.
It is hoped that this group will become a permanent fixture for the British Cemetery and result in an even more beautiful space for people to visit.
