Keep Scotland Beautiful 2025 

🎉 We Honestly Don’t Know What to Say… Except WOOOOHOOO! 🎉

For the second year running, Friends of Hartwood Paupers Cemetery has received top marks in the 2025 It’s Your Neighbourhood report from Keep Scotland Beautiful — and honestly, we’re almost speechless!

We’re beyond honoured, a little teary-eyed, and maybe even blushing just a wee bit. To be recognised again for the work we love — from bee-hugging and wildflower-planting, to telling the stories of those at rest — is genuinely overwhelming.

Here’s what this year’s report said about our wee patch of peaceful ground:

🌿 The assessor was “dumfounded” by what we’ve achieved (we’re still trying to process that one too!)

🐝 Our buzzing apiary, home to three very productive hives, stands as a shining example of how nature and remembrance can thrive side by side.

🪦 The love and care we have for those buried here shines through every lair marker and memorial, giving each one a name and a story.

🎭 Even a Fringe fairytale has been inspired by this magical place — huge thanks to @Jane Mather and @Spotlight Shotts for bringing the cemetery’s story to life in such a creative and heartfelt way.

At the heart of it all, we’re just a bunch of determined, muddy-booted folk who care deeply about history, nature, and community.

📩 Our official certificate will arrive later this year, but we couldn’t wait to share the news with you — our amazing supporters, volunteers, and partners who make it all possible.

💚 Thank you for believing in what we do. We’ll keep sharing stories, preserving memories, planting flowers, and yes, probably crying happy tears when we read kind words like these.

You can find the 2025 report attached below — perfect for a tear-jerker full of bees, badgers, Polish princesses, and community magic.

#HartwoodCemetery #ItsYourNeighbourhood #FriendsOfHartwood #PureDeadBrilliant #CommunitySpirit #HeritageMatters #GreenHeroes #hartwoodpride

Lanarkshire Climate Hub Festival – 13th September, 12–2 pm

Join us for the Lanarkshire Climate Hub Festival on 13th September, from 12 noon to 2 pm, in partnership with Campfire History!

Enjoy a wonderful afternoon of fun, learning, and community connection with activities including:

• Beekeeping demonstrations

• Sowing wildflower meadows

• Exploring a nature trail

• Sharing tea around the campfire

This family-friendly event welcomes everyone eager to learn more about nature, climate action, and local heritage.

Come along and be part of the celebration — all ages and abilities welcome!

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Installs Memorial Stone for Patrick Tierney

We are honored to share that the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has installed a memorial stone for Patrick Tierney, bringing long-overdue recognition to his resting place.

After much effort, we have successfully made contact with Patrick’s family in Kildare, who until now knew nothing of his story or final resting place. This heartfelt reunion brings his memory back to life and ensures his legacy will be remembered with the respect he deserves.

A commemorative ceremony will be held on 14th August at 11:00 am at his grave. All are warmly welcome to attend this special occasion as we pay full honors to Patrick Tierney and remember his sacrifice.

Bees Arrive to Join Our Wild Meadow Project

In May, an exciting new chapter began for the Friends of Hartwood Paupers Cemetery’s wild meadow project with the arrival of our bees. We were thrilled to welcome three healthy nucs (nucleus colonies)—small starter colonies that will form the heart of our new apiary and pollinator haven.

What Are Nucs?
A nuc is essentially a mini-beehive containing a queen, worker bees, brood (eggs and larvae), and resources like honey and pollen. Starting with nucs allows us to establish strong, thriving colonies that can quickly grow and flourish in their new environment.

Why Bees Matter
Bees are vital pollinators, playing a crucial role in supporting biodiversity, ecosystem health, and food production. Our wild meadow, rich in native wildflowers and grasses, provides an ideal environment for these pollinators to forage, helping both the bees and the plants thrive.

Supporting Local Pollinators
By introducing our three nucs, we are not only enhancing the biodiversity of Hartwood Paupers Cemetery but also contributing to the broader effort to protect declining bee populations. These bees will help pollinate the wildflowers in the meadow, increasing seed production and ensuring the meadow continues to flourish year after year.

A Growing Apiary and Community Engagement
The nucs are just the beginning. Over time, we hope to expand our apiary, involve local beekeepers, and offer educational opportunities for community members interested in learning more about bees and their importance. Our project combines habitat restoration with active wildlife support, making it a dynamic hub for environmental education and conservation.

The arrival of the bees marked a joyful milestone in our wild meadow journey. We look forward to watching these colonies grow and buzzing life return to the cemetery grounds.

Friends of Hartwood Paupers Cemetery Awarded Grant from Climate Action Hub Lanarkshire to Create Wild Meadow

We are delighted to announce that the Friends of Hartwood Paupers Cemetery have been awarded a generous grant from the Climate Action Hub Lanarkshire to support the creation of our very own wild meadow. This exciting project will transform part of the cemetery grounds into a vibrant habitat that supports pollinators, promotes biodiversity, and enhances the natural beauty of this historic site.

Why a Wild Meadow?
Wild meadows are essential ecosystems that provide food and shelter for a wide variety of wildlife, including bees, butterflies, birds, and small mammals. At a time when natural habitats are increasingly under threat, restoring and cultivating wild meadows is a vital way to help nature thrive in our local community. Our wild meadow project aligns perfectly with Climate Action Hub Lanarkshire’s mission to support environmental sustainability and climate resilience in the region.

Project Highlights

• Seed Selection: We have carefully chosen a mix of native wildflower and grass seeds, including Woodland Mix, Pollinator Haven, and Scottish Heather and Grass, sourced from Scotia Seeds. These mixes are designed to encourage a diverse range of pollinators and other beneficial wildlife.

• Soil Preparation: To prepare the ground for planting, we’ve invested in specialized equipment including a multipurpose leaf collector, mulcher, and scarifier. These tools will help us ensure the soil is in the best condition to support the growth of our wild plants.

• Maintenance and Harvesting: As the meadow matures, we will use traditional methods such as scything to manage the growth sustainably. We have also purchased a scythe from Scythe Cymru to help us maintain the meadow in an eco-friendly way.

• Additional Features: Alongside the meadow, we are developing a composting toilet facility and a bee hive haven, further enhancing the cemetery’s role as a community space that supports biodiversity and environmental education.

Community Impact
This project will not only improve the ecological health of the cemetery but will also provide opportunities for local residents and visitors to connect with nature, learn about pollinators, and participate in caring for this special green space. It reflects our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and celebrates the rich natural heritage of Hartwood.

Looking Ahead
We are excited to share updates as our wild meadow grows and blossoms. Our hope is that it will become a sanctuary for wildlife and a peaceful retreat for people, enriching the community for generations to come.

Thank you to the Climate Action Hub Lanarkshire for their invaluable support, making this project possible.