Location/Direction

Not far out of the town centre, Dovecote Lane is a cul-de-sac, at the head of which stands the impressive St. Peter’s Convent and school. The gates of the cemetery are directly opposite to those of the convent. Situated on high ground, the cemetery has views to the south extending over to the neighbouring town of Ossett and the M1 Motorway. The cemetery is now enclosed on all sides by both council and private housing, making the green area of the cemetery an oasis, created by expanding urban development.

Statistics  

First Burial 
Name:- George H. Thornton
Address:-  Plymouth (place of death)
Date of Burial:- 20 May 1897
Aged:-  27 years
Size of Cemetery  Approximately 6.5 Acres  

Information  

An old cemetery with a Victorian feel, the visitor first enters through a delightful lyche gate which will have been witness to the passage of many a funeral cortege over the years. Unfortunately this has been the subject of vandalism in recent years and the original stone tiled roof has been replaced with one of a modern metal material. Just inside this entrance is an old walled area of burial ground originally belonging to St. Peter’s Church in which is situated many large and ornate memorials dating back into the last century, unfortunately the records for this area are far from ideal.  

Passing through this older part of the cemetery into the new portion, the visitor has either to negotiate a series of steps, or walk down a steep slope into the lower areas. The original curator’s lodge is still occupying a prominent site just inside the new part of the cemetery and will most probably have been the administrative centre for the old burial authority. Whilst suffering a great deal from the effects of Dutch Elm Disease, the cemetery still boasts a number of large mature trees.  

Recent improvements to the walkways has greatly enhanced the appearance of this most interesting cemetery. Provided is a facility for the interment of cremated remains in a small memorial garden.