James Bryce
EXPATS have launched a campaign to restore a British cemetery in Spain to its former glory.
The burial ground, in Valencia, was established over 150 years ago as a final resting place for non-Catholic foreigners, including traders and sailors.
But the site, which is owned by the British Embassy, is in need of restoration after suffering from theft and vandalism in recent years.
Now the International Women’s Club of Valencia (IWC) has decided to act after British expat Bonnie Hinzpeter, who came up with the idea, died earlier this year.
The work will involve gardening, cleaning graves and plans to restore the chapel to allow services to be held there.
“Bonnie was a lovely person, who was very popular and very involved in community conservation work,” said IWC member Diana Clifton-Sewell.
“Regrettably, she died of cancer before she could work on the cemetery, so we decided doing it ourselves would be a fitting memorial.”
The British Embassy confirmed it had so far approved repairs to the cemetery’s fence and gate, while a Garden of Remembrance is also being considered.
British expat Trevor Nicholas, who tends the cemetery as a volunteer, added: “I hope the project raises people’s awareness of it as an historic site.”
