Development Strategy 2011/12

Arnos Vale Cemetery is one of the earliest, best and the only known fully restored examples of a Victorian "Arcadian" garden cemetery.  Arnos VAle is a national exemplar of how a decaying cemetery can be brought back to its former glory, providing new and exciting ways to engage visitors of all backgrounds and ages with a city's history.  It is a hugely significant place for Bristolians which is now managed by Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust and its staff team of seven.

The Trust receives no local or national government funding.  The sustainability of Arnos Vale Cemetery will rely on the generosity of supporters and volunteers, on generating income through cemetery services and other trading, engagine the widest number of people in our activities and events, and on charitable fundraising.

There are three core areas of the Trust's work:

• Commercial Services, which incorporates Cemetery Services and a range of trading activities.
• Public Engagement and Education
• Estate Services

Cemetery Services

Arnos Vale remains a working cemetery, and offers a unique location for funeral services, cremation plots, and ways to remember loved ones.  The Trust will continue to develop best practice in the delivery of our cemetery services, to promote the awreness of Arnos Vale as a working Cemetery, and to increase the range of offers for remembrance.

Trading Activities

The Trust's priorities are to:

• develop the Visitor and Gift Shop at Arnos Vale
• increase the use of the two chapels for Facilties Hire, including for film and TV
• develop a cafe at Arnos Vale

Public Engagement

Public Engagement work at Arnos Vale enables the Trust to promote wide awareness of the site and all that it has to offer.  The Trust plans to achieve this through:

• a programme of tours and public access and specialist talks, events and activities, linked to the lives of Bristolians resting at Arnos Vale or to events of local or national significance.
• building links with local universities to increase the knowledge base
• developing a wider range of learning opportunities at Arnos Vale Cemetery - for schools, higher education and adult learners

Estate Services

Underpins everything we do at Arnos Vale.

A detailed Landscape Management Plan sets the direction and work of this Department.  The work of the Estate Services Department supports the generation of income through the effective management of the site, and by supporting all aspects of cemetery services.  It also enables a larger number of volunteers and groups, including corporate team building groups and social responsibility volunteer groups to engage with Arnos Vale Cemetery's landscape, and to support its ongoing maintenance.

Supporters Scheme - Be an Angel

The trust is growing its Angels Scheme as a way to engage supporters in the future of Arnos Vale Cemetery.