Friends of Brompton Cemetery

The song may suggest otherwise, but for most communities it’s volunteers who “make the world go round” rather than money. To inspire and encourage residents who want to get more involved in life in Kensington and Chelsea, the Council has now produced 'It takes all of us', a booklet full of ideas about how local people can play their part in making the borough a better place. We put some questions to David Beauchamp, a resident and member of the Friends of Brompton Cemetery.

How did you join the Friends of Brompton Cemetery?

I retired to London after almost 30 years working in Hong Kong and Japan. I wanted to get to know the area and a friend of my wife Vicki mentioned that the Friends needed a guide to take visitors around the cemetery. I offered to help out and was evidently competent enough as I am now a member of the committee!

Do you still help out?

Yes, I am one of a number of guides who take scheduled tours once a fortnight on Sunday afternoons or at other times for special groups. The numbers attending can range from three to 33. During the holidays we often have more, although sometimes if it is raining no one turns up. The tour includes information about the architecture, the cemetery’s part in London’s history and the famous graves, which range from that of Suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst to the founder of Chelsea Football Club, Henry Augustus Mears.

David in Brompton Cemetery

What do the Friends of Brompton Cemetery do?

The Friends liaise with the Royal Parks regarding the management of the cemetery, provide information to visitors, raise money, research any questions about people buried in the cemetery and keep the gardens tidy, as well organising the annual open day and occasional lectures in the chapel. Our main aim is to preserve the area as an attractive space and enable as many people as possible to enjoy Brompton Cemetery.

How would you sum up your own work with the Friends?

Joining the organisation certainly helped me settle in London and even now I’ve been here for years I still enjoy doing the tours and I always enjoy meeting new people. Some are tourists and some are local people who have just realised what’s on their doorstep. It has also given me the chance to see the good work done by the Royal Parks here and in the other open spaces around London. I’m glad to be part of preserving some green space in such a busy city!