We are "Friends of Southampton Old Cemetery" - FoSOC for short - a group of enthusiasts interested in the history and condition of the Old Cemetery in Southampton.
Here you can find out about Southampton burials, wildlife in cemeteries and caring for old graves

FoSOC was founded in 2003 by John Avery, Veronica Tippetts and Geoff Watts.

We have two major aims:.

You may contact FoSOC :-

by e-mail: fosoc1846@googlemail.com

by telephone: 023 8034 9414

or write to: 31 Lilac Road, Bassett, Southampton SO16 3DA

Email web manager

    HOW MIGHT YOU HELP US?

 HELP WANTED   For website work, or for the new “Project Tidy” program
 
A major volunteer activity is tidying up the grounds and monuments

The Friends' key people.

 If you feel you might like to join us, here is more information.
 
Membership 202 as of 26th February 2009

INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT THE CEMETERY

A brief history of the Cemetery, which opened in 1846

Some of the graves and monuments in the Cemetery are of considerable interest, both artistically and historically

We offer regular heritage walks in the Cemetery when local guides tell the stories behind some of the more significant monuments

We also offer regular ecology walks in the Cemetery when an expert naturalist explains the current state of wildlife in the area.
 

To uphold the original purpose of the Cemetery, which is to be a place of reflection and remembrance of the people buried there.
 

To support the ecological aims of the adjoining Southampton Common (a Site of Special Scientific Interest), and to treat it with the same care.
 

ITEMS OF NOTE
 

 Charles Rawden Maclean
Friends of Southampton Old Cemetery held a Memorial dedication service on 2nd May 2009, to Charles Rawden Maclean, “John Ross”, friend to the Zulus. The service was attended by The Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Brian Parnell, Ian Knight broadcaster and author, Iain Rankin from Fraserburgh Heritage Centre, Southampton Sea Cadets and Scottish Piper Mr Joe Fagan, as well as over 60 members of the public who had donated to the project.
More details at
www.fraserburghheritage.com


PROJECT TIDY:
A new initiative to tidy up many hitherto neglected monuments
More details inside.

HELP WANTED

TITANIC-related walks schedule - note that booking is essential

FoSOC are very grateful to The Hampshire Gardens Trust, for the grant we have received to purchase tools for our conservation work in the cemetery.



New Booklet: by Professor James Stevens Curl, on the Victorian pioneer of Cemetery Designn John Claudius Loudon

Fresh information about who constructed the Cemetery

Deer in the Cemetery - Report from John Vetterlein

Over 300 of John Vetterlein’s beautiful wildlife photos are now available
180+ wild flowers added
with more to come

 New Portraits, Notes, and
Grave photos

Is your relative in our files?

Symbolism mystery

 

    HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

Members get a Newsletter published every two months. 
An index to articles in past issues is here.

Maps of Southampton, and the Old Cemetery

We can help you find the graves of your relatives.

Walks and talks planned for the next few months.
In addition to the public events listed here, we can also arrange walks and talks for private individuals or groups, for a donation.

Books about our Cemetery which you can buy.

Our archive holdings include notes on many of the people and memorials in the Cemetery.

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