1. People An introduction to the some of the staff and volunteers that help to make the site work

2. The Registrar Name:Penny Fulford Job Title: Superintendent Registrar http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/living/registration-service/ Job Role: I officiate at marriage, civil partnership and citizenship ceremonies, take notices of marriage and civil partnership and issue birth, marriage and death certificates. I have custody of all birth, marriage and death registers dating from 1837. Why did you choose this job? I like working with people and find the work interesting and challenging as the role is always changing as society changes and legislation is updated. What qualifications/experience did you need? There are no specific qualifications required to work at the register office, just a good standard of education, neat handwriting, good attention to detail and good customer care skills. Technical knowledge is then taught within the service and with this knowledge and experience you can work at different levels within registration. What exactly do you/does your role do in relation to Lye Cemetery and Chapels? Once the renovation work is completed the registration service will take over the building and I will then divide my time between there and Priory Hall. I will officiate at ceremonies there, take notices of marriage and civil partnership and other associated duties. Do you think Lye and Wollescote Cemetery and Chapels are important to the local area an communities? Yes – it is a wonderful historic building that has been left unattended and will now be restored to its former glory which will provide a beautiful ceremony venue for local people. It will also attract couples from further afield and thus generate additional income for the local businesses.

3. The Parks Development Officer Name: Thomas Weaver Job Title: Parks Development Officer http://www.dudley.gov.uk/see-and-do/parks-open-spaces/ Job Role: Engaging with the local community to encourage people to take an active role in their local green spaces. This involves establishing new Friends Groups, assisting in community events, helping with fundraising, advising on park improvements and writing award applications. Why did you choose this job? After spending 12 years working as a Ranger on Parks and Countryside sites I felt it was time to move to a role that allowed me to develop the use of green spaces for the future. My past experience across a wide range of sites has seen me address many issues will still affect parks today and I enjoy sharing this knowledge with community and volunteer groups. What qualifications/experience did you need? My role requires a background knowledge in the operation and enhancement of Parks and Green Spaces. I have studied for my National Diploma in Countryside Management and undertaken many profession development courses since then. This has included; Foundation and Advanced Ranger Training, getting local people active and involved, environmental art and education, access in parks and green spaces, advertising and enhancing green space and visitor and observation assessments. What exactly do you/does your role do in relation to Lye Cemetery and Chapels? My role involves working with the Friends of Wollescote Park and area managers on increasing awareness and involvement of the Lye and Wollescote Chapels. Assisting with the creation of a new Friends Group and looking at the potential of including the site in future Green Flag Award applications. Do you think Lye and Wollescote Cemetery and Chapels are important to the local area an communities? The chapels and their surrounding grounds carry a great amount of historical importance to both the local community and to the borough as a whole. Interest generated through the early stages of the project has shown that there is a great deal of support and desire to see the history of the site made more accessible.

4. Principal Bereavement Officer Name Ian Bailey – Job Title: Principal Bereavement Services Officer Job Role: I am responsible for the day to day management of Dudley MBCs two crematoria and 7 cemeteries. Im directly responsible for 25 members of staff who carry out various duties including administration, cremation and grave digging. Why did you choose this job? I chose this role as I want to help people who are going through a very difficult time in their lives having lost someone that they loved and cared dearly about. What qualifications/experience did you need? To become overall manager for Bereavement Services I had to have a diploma in cemetery and crematorium management. This took 4 years to achieve. What exactly do you/does your role do in relation to Lye Cemetery and Chapels? Lye cemetery is one of the seven that I am responsible for. I liaise with Greencare to ensure the maintenance is to a high standard within the cemetery and we also undertake burials there too. The chapel was used for burial services but due to lack of use it was closed in 1993. Do you think Lye and Wollescote Cemetery and Chapels are important to the local area and communities? YES : The cemetery is visited by people who are tending graves there and also people who just want to study the history that is linked to it. Through guided tours conducted by members of the local community to people trying to find long lost relatives who are buried there, the cemetery is very important to those that visit. The chapel is probably the most recognisable building in Lye and Wollescote and it is good that it will finally be restored.

5. Volunteers and Friends Name: You! Role: Friend of Lye and Wollescote Cemetery and Chapels Why did you choose this job? Because I wanted to do something positive in my community and I think the chapel buildings are fantastic. The history of the cemetery is really interesting with many of the people who made Lye what it is buried there. What qualifications/experience did you need? None, just enthusiasm. What exactly do you/does your role do in relation to Lye Cemetery and Chapels? There are a number of different roles – Looking after graves where there are no longer any family to do this. This involves clearing ivy, tree seedlings and weeds and some minor repairs to memorials (headstones), Other practical work such as clearing the paths that have become overgrown and planting shrubs and bulbs. Leading guided walks and events, Fundraising and applying for grants to restore some of the Victorian memorials, Researching more of the history of cemetery, Being part of the committee that plans and organises the work of the Friends Do you think Lye and Wollescote Cemetery and Chapels are important to the local area and communities? Absolutely! The cemetery and the stories behind the headstones tell the story of the history of Lye. Contact Carolyn on mailto:carolyn@redkitenetwork.co.uk" \t "_top or 07805489296 or twitter @carolynhealy if you are interested in becoming a friend. mailto:carolyn@redkitenetwork.co.uk" \t "_top