LIVERPOOL ECHO, 13 FEBRUARY 2009
HISTORIC JEWISH CEMETERY APPLIES FOR LOTTERY FUNDING
by Catherine Jones
ONE of Liverpool’s most historic cemeteries will be restored if a bid for more than £200,000 of lottery money is successful.
Deane Road Jewish cemetery in Kensington is the final resting place of some of Liverpool’s best-known entrepreneurs including David Lewis, pioneer of Lewis’s, and Moses Samuel, founder of H Samuel. The cemetery, which has around 750 gravestones, opened in 1837 but the last burial was in 1929 and it had become derelict before a new campaign to refurbish it was launched three years ago.
Patrons include Liverpool solicitor Rex Makin, Lord Lieutenant Dame Lorna Muirhead, and actress Miriam Margolyes. MPs Louise Ellman and Jane Kennedy are also backing it.
Cllr Louise Baldock, Labour member for Kensington and Fairfield and who is one of those heading the initiative, said: “We’ve put together what I believe to be a really top-notch first stage bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund.
“Everyone has played their part, writing different bits, organising the supporting paperwork – and even a special DVD – and we’ve now bid for £220,000 of funds which if we are successful will see a total restoration of our cemetery.”
If the application is successful the money will be used to replace, repair or refurbish the site’s boundary walls, gateposts, railings and front archway, and re-erect all the tombstones which are in good condition.
The cemetery, which is the property of the Old Liverpool Hebrew Congregation, boasts a Grade II listed ornate archway entrance in Greek revival style and a driveway flanked by cast iron railings.
Among others buried at the site are Charles Mozley, the first Jewish mayor of Liverpool, and painter John Raphael Isaac. It is hoped once restoration is complete the cemetery will be added to Liverpool’s heritage trail.