Island Life Magazine Ltd April/May 2014 | Page 131

Woodland burials so natural

I

t has been nearly 15 years since local
funeral directors purchased part of
the gardens of Lord Bolton’s Fernhill
Park Estate in Wootton. Since then,
demand for burials in Woodland Burial
sites has increased each year as people try to
find a setting that is different to municipal
cemeteries.
Robin Leather of Geoff Leather
Independent Funeral Directors said: “It is
our aim at Fernhill Park Woodland Burial
Ground to provide a site that is somewhat
less harsh than existing cemeteries, with
a focus on the growth of the surrounding
nature and habitat.”
As part of this aim, a woodland
management plan has been agreed and
drawn up with help from the Forestry
Commission and woodland management
professionals. Over 6,000 trees have been
planted in areas surrounding the burial
site with the aim of joining the woodland
to the south with the woodland to the
north, allowing for the easy movement of
animals between these two habitats.
The area currently used for burials is
between this woodland, putting nature

really on the ‘doorstep’ and adding to the
beauty and serenity that a burial site should
provide.
In keeping with this ethos, granite tablets
can be supplied and laid flat on the ground
as grave markers. Standing headstones and
other items not in keeping with the Fernhill

Park vision are not allowed.
Visiting Fernhill Park Woodland Burial
Ground couldn’t be easier with access
from the driveway to the Lakeside Park
Hotel and Spa, off Wootton Bridge. For any
further information, contact Geoff Leather
Independent Funeral Directors on 529090.

Dr Paul Howard joins the Hospice tea m
Dr Paul Howard, Consultant in
Palliative Medicine, has joined
the palliative care team based at
the Earl Mountbatten Hospice,
Newport.
For over 30 years EMH has
provided specialist palliative
care to Island people both at the
Hospice and in the community.
It also provides expert care and
advice through the Hospital
Palliative Care Team based at
St Mary's Hospital, Newport.
Paul's expertise in community
palliative care, pharmacotherapy,
psychosocial aspects of care
and use of acupuncture will
undoubtedly enhance the existing
skills of the current clinical team.
Paul said: “During my visits to
Earl Mountbatten Hospice I have
been impressed with the excellent
standard of care and support
from the local community the
Hospice receives. I am looking

forward to working across the
whole organisation to ensure
the Hospice remains at the
forefront of specialist palliative
care. My family and I have been
overwhelmed by the kindness
and welcome of everyone here,
both within the EMH team and on
the Island as a whole and we are
looking forward to making our
home here.”
Speaking on behalf of the Board
of Trustees Chairman, Peter
Kingston said: “EMH is in the
unique position of being the only
hospice on the Island and this
means our standard of patient
care must always be excellent.
I am glad to say we have been
fortunate in attracting many
experienced and talented people
who have ensured we are still
leaders within our field while
also remaining at the heart of the
Island community.”