Tag: networking

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Launch of the North East Funerary Heritage Group

On 23 July 2025, the North East Funerary Heritage Group (NEFHG) was officially launched at Newcastle Cathedral. This regional initiative brings together individuals and organisations with a shared interest in funerary heritage, ranging from urban cemeteries to rural churchyards, to collectively explore the cultural, historical, and social value of burial spaces across the North East.

The event featured panel talks, focused group discussions, and a series of hands-on workshops designed to help shape the group’s future direction. These sessions created space for participants to reflect on shared experiences and identify common challenges. From preservation concerns and interpretation strategies to community engagement and ethical decision-making, the diversity of voices highlighted just how much can be gained through regional collaboration.

The BHBG project played a key role in helping establish the group and sponsored the launch event. Many of the participants present have been involved in projects facing similar opportunities and pressures, making BHBG’s contribution especially relevant. The project’s emphasis on inclusive, co-produced heritage, its navigation of archival and ethical complexities, and its growing community of volunteers offered a useful model as the group begins to take shape.

The launch brought together key players in the region, from local historians and heritage professionals to volunteers, artists, and civic groups to co-create and define what this network will become. The momentum generated was exciting, with a strong sense that the time is right to share knowledge, build capacity, and speak with a collective voice.

Membership in NEFHG is free and open to all. If you’re interested in joining, simply visit the group’s website or just sign up to become a member. It’s quick, easy, and a great way to stay informed and involved.

Together, we can ensure that the stories embedded in our region’s burial landscapes are recognised, respected, and remembered, and that they inform how we engage with heritage, community, and place today.

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🌿 Join Us for the Ballast Hills Burial Ground Descendant Gathering! 🌿

We’re excited to announce a special BHBG Descendant Gathering on 19 February 2025. This event is designed for those with ancestral connections to the site to come together, share stories, and deepen understanding of the heritage of this remarkable burial ground.

📍 Event Details

  • Date: 19 February
  • Time: 14:00
  • Location: 51 Lime Street

This gathering is part of our ongoing efforts to connect with descendants and learn more about the lives of those laid to rest at Ballast Hills. It’s a chance to meet others with similar ties to the site and share your own family’s history with the project.

👉 How to Register
If you’d like to attend, please contact us at ballast.hills@newcastle.ac.uk for registration details.

We’d love to hear from you, whether you’re planning to attend or have stories and memories you’d like to share.

Let’s come together to celebrate and preserve the history of Ballast Hills Burial Ground. Spread the word to family and friends who may have ancestors buried at this unique site!

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Help Shape the Future of Ballast Hills Burial Ground

Do you have a connection to Ballast Hills Burial Ground (BHBG) or an interest in its rich history within the Byker and Ouseburn area or are your ancestor's buried there?

Whether you’re linked to BHBG’s past, concerned for its future, or simply fascinated by its story, we’d love to hear from you. The BHBG Project, led by Newcastle University, is gathering input from those who care about this historic site and invite you to help shape its future.

If you’re interested, please take a moment to complete a short two-question survey here. Your input is vital in helping us connect with others who share an interest in BHBG, and the more voices we hear, the better!

Your feedback will play a key role in guiding our next steps, and we encourage you to share your ideas or get involved. This public engagement and research scoping project is funded by the AHRC’s Curiosity Award (July 2024–December 2025), supporting our work to connect with communities and explore new ways of understanding and preserving the site.

Let’s work together to make it happen!

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Conference Report: The 10th Nordic Geographers Meeting

The 10th Nordic Geographers Meeting, held at the University of Copenhagen from 24 to 27 June 2024, focused on the theme “Transitioning Geographies,” addressing global changes and strategies for equitable transitions. This international conference, organized by the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, attracted approximately 430 attendees with six concurrent sessions over three days.

A presentation on the Ballast Hills Burial Ground (BHBG) project made by Myra Giesen was featured in the session titled “The cultural renegotiation of urban cemeteries and graveyards: multi-functional spaces of death, sacredness, recreation, and ecosystem services.” Organized by Johanna Adolfsson (Stockholm University), Sara Borgström (Royal Institute of Technology), and Annika Dahlberg (Stockholm University), the session included a diverse lineup of speakers, including Julie Roussett (University Gustave Eiffel – Lab’URBA), Avril Maddrell (University of Reading), Helena Nordh (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences), Johanna Adolfsson and Myra. The discussions covered a broad spectrum of issues related to burial sites, offering rich opportunities for networking and collaboration relevant to the BHBG project.

This session facilitated discussions on a wide range of issues related to burial sites, providing an intimate and engaging environment for exchange. The presentation elevated the BHBG project’s profile, connected it with researchers in similar fields, and expanded its professional network.

As a result of this exposure, the BHBG project is now recognized as an active research initiative within The Cemetery Research Group, enhancing its visibility and collaboration opportunities.

Acknowledgment is extended to the School of Education, Communication, and Language Sciences Research Committee, Newcastle University, for partially funding this conference attendance.

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