Family unveils restored graves

MEMBERS of a family whose descendants are buried in a Warrington graveyard have unveiled six family graves restored by a voluntary group.
The Friends of St Mary’s Cemetery group at Great Sankey welcomed members of the Randall family from as far afield as Winchester, Cumbria and North Wales for the ceremony.
Nick Randall contacted the “Friends” group after spotting a flyer on a tree in the cemetery.
Together they worked with Warrington Borough Council to have the family graves restored.
All the Randall family buried at Sankey are connected to three brothers – Charles, George and John Randall.
They were born in the 1860’s and all three – and many others in the family – were tanners.
Jack Randall, who died in 1911, was the son of Charles. His tombstone records the respect in which he was held by the staff and workmen of the Fennel Street Tannery.
There are also family connections to the Penketh Tannery, formerly in Walkers Lane.
Another family member, Jack Randall said: “It is nice to think that the Friends have given back something special to the memories of these people.
“I can now tell my sons, and in time their sons, that through their thoughtful caring acts the memory of our great forebears and their influence on the Victorian and Edwardian industry of this locality is restored for generations in the future.”
Friends’ chairman Trudi Wood said: “Our aim is to restore respect to this beautiful and much loved cemetery so that all who rest here do so with dignity and respect, and all who visit here do so in peace and safety.
“Working with Nick to help restore these graves to their former glory has been fantastic. It is great to be contacted by families and help them in this way.
“It complements the hours of hard work the Friends put into the cemetery every week.
“We are now working really hard to get the cemetery ready for Armistice Day and welcome any volunteers who wish to help.”
Anyone who would like to help can visit the website www.friendsofstmaryscemetery.co.uk
Pictured: Members of the Randall family join the “Friends” at the cemetery.