First Greenham cubs ©FNRC First Greenham cubs

Cubs Visit the Cemetery Cubs Visit the Cemetery

Cubs Visit the Cemetery

23rd September was one of those beautiful autumnal evenings which we remember happening in
our youth but which somehow seem to have gone out of fashion! A low pink sun cast shadows over
the graves, the long grass swayed gently in the breeze, spiders sat patiently in the centre of their
webs for dinner, and the leaves were taking on their autumn colours.

On such a night Cubs from the ?th Hatch End Group visited the Newtown Road Cemetery. Were
they scared? Not a bit of it!! The Friends put them at their ease by explaining that our object was
not only to commemorate the lives of all Newburians great and small who finally rest here, but also
to maintain a place of peace and a natural environment for everyone's benefit.

After a brief introduction and history, the Pack split into their Sixes and went about the tasks they
had been set – to record the inscriptions from selected gravestones, to draw and make a rubbing of
them, and to select a nearby flower and leaf for identification. Some even took photos.
Later, back at the Chapel, the Cubs enthusiastically shared their findings and heard extended stories
about the lives of those identified. They were rewarded with biscuits and fruit juice before leaving
for home, full of chatter about their evening, and contemplating their plans for the forthcoming
Hallowe'en.

The Cub Leader 'warned' us that, once they'd heard about it, other Groups would be onto us. But,
we explained, we were delighted and this is what we are here for.