About the Funders
National Lottery Heritage Fund
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest dedicated grant funder of the UK’s heritage. Since 1994, They have awarded over £8bn to more than 44,000 projects across the UK. Their mission is ‘Inspiring, leading and resourcing the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future.’
“The Key Hill and Warstone Lane Cemeteries are incredibly significant landmarks in the historic, religious, social and political landscape of Birmingham, and we are delighted that work has begun on their restoration and conservation of these sites. Their regeneration will mean that the people of Birmingham will be able to uncover and engage with the fascinating history of the cemeteries for the first time in several years.”
Anne Jenkins, Director, England: Midlands & East, The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Birmingham City Council
The project has been managed by the Birmingham City Council Regeneration Team , as part of wider initiatives to invest in heritage, improve green spaces, engage local residents and attract visitors to the city. The project has the full support of Bereavement Services who manage and maintain the cemeteries. The Landscape Practice Group developed the designs for the restoration and continue to oversee their implementation.
Birmingham City Council have also digitised the burial records for the cemeteries, which are now available to purchase online through Birmingham Burial Records
“The Key Hill and Warstone Lane Cemeteries are a fascinating part of Birmingham’s history and I’m absolutely delighted that by working with the local community and all of our partners so that together, we’ll be able to preserve this magnificent landmark.”
Cllr Sharon Thompson, Cabinet Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods at Birmingham City Council
Jewellery Quarter Development Trust
Established in 2011, the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust is a Community Interest Company constituted and operated for the benefit of the communities in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter. The JQDT carries out a range of activities for the benefit of all who live, work, learn, invest and visit the area. These include operating the Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement Distrirct (JQBID), managing the Jewellery Quarter Townscape Heritage and overseeing the Planning Consultative Committee. The Jewellery Quarter Development Trust employ the Activities Programme Manager to manage the public engagement activities for the Jewellery Quarter Cemeteries Project.
“We’re so excited to see the restoration begin. Both Key Hill and Warstone Lane cemeteries play huge parts within the Jewellery Quarter’s history. We hope that the restoration works and associated activity programme will encourage the public to visit and spend time at the cemeteries, learning more about the Quarter’s unique heritage”
Luke Crane, Executive Director for the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust
About our Partners and Stakeholders
Jewellery Quarter Heritage Squad
There are currently 6 organisations who are members of the Jewellery Quarter Heritage Squad, and we are proud to be one of them. We are working with Jewellery Quarter Townscape Heritage, The Hive, The Coffin Works, RBSA Gallery and St Pauls Church on a variety of different projects with our shared volunteer pool, including public events, marketing and promotion, research and outdoor conservation. We are always looking for new volunteers to join the squad.
Friends of Key Hill and Warstone Lane Cemeteries
The Friends of Key Hill Cemetery was established in 2004 by a small group of people who were concerned at the deterioration of the cemetery and alarmed at the potential loss of an important part of Birmingham’s heritage. In 2009 Warstone Lane Cemetery was included, combining both the Jewellery Quarter Cemeteries. Volunteers of the Friends maintain the cemeteries, restore gravestones and research the lives of those who rest in these important historic cemeteries. The Friends are a small but dynamic group, who are always happy to welcome new members or accept donations towards their restoration fund. Thanks to their efforts over the last 15 years a large number of monuments have been restored, but there are more memorials they would like to restore and fundraising is ongoing.
Jewellery Quarter Research Trust
Jewellery Quarter Research Trust is a not-for-profit organisation formed in 2009 out of the passion to discover and share Birmingham's rich heritage. Their aim is to research the history and times of people and places in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter and share this with the public. They provide families, researchers, academics and students with biographical and cultural information as well as tours and activities. They specialise in the history and records of the two Jewellery Quarter cemeteries, but also collaborate with many other organisations on wider projects. The JQRT are proud to be a partner in the Everything To Everybody project which unites the Shakespeare archive with the George Dawson Collection (GDC).
Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust
The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country is a local charity uniquely protecting the wildlife of Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton. They are one of 46 local, independent Wildlife Trusts working to make the UK a better place for people and wildlife.
Locally they works to conserve biodiversity, improve the environment and raise awareness and understanding of wildlife issues. They have over 7,000 members and have projects, nature reserves and environment centres across the area. The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country run a variety of nature events in the Jewellery Quarter Cemeteries with schools and the general public.
Ladywood Project
Ladywood Community project exists as an organisation to help families and the community. It has always actively listened to local people and involved them in how the service is run. It gives help and support to those on low incomes or in hardship not only to manage their day to day needs but encourages them to feel part of the community and not so isolated with their problems. The Jewellery Quarter Cemeteries Project is working with the Ladywood Project and other community partners on events such as the Ladywood Fun Day and a summer holiday scheme for families.
