350 bodies to be exhumed to make way for drop-in centre

DAMIEN HENDERSON (THE HERALD) Feb. 5th 2009 Writes:

A council is applying to exhume bodies from 350 graves in disused burial grounds and move them to a new cemetery to make way for a community facility.

North Lanarkshire Council is hoping to build a drop-in centre and cafe on grounds occupied by the Old Wellwynd Church in Airdrie, which is C-listed and has been disused since 1995.

Following preliminary investigative work, archeologists found burial grounds dating from the 19th century with around 350 graves identified.

It is thought there may be more bodies buried underneath.

The burial grounds are thought to date from 1846 and to have ceased burials entirely by 1927.

The council has now applied for permission to disinter the human remains,which are due to be moved to New Monklands Cemetery, where they will be buried. The Rev Robbie Hamilton, minister of New Wellwynd Church, will conduct a memorial service when the remains are re-interred.

The former church will be transformed into a Social Enterprise Centre aimed at helping develop local businesses that reinvest in the North Lanarkshire community, the council said in a statement yesterday.

A spokeswoman for the council added: "Preliminary investigative work on the site revealed burial ground remains, and an Archaeologist Area Assessment was carried out as a result.

"Approximately 350 graves were identified by this assessment, although the presence of lairs means the actual number of burials may be higher than the number of graves.

It is believed the burial ground dates from 1846, although burials were limited from 1880; and stopped completely in 1927.

"North Lanarkshire Council, in consultation with local clergy, has taken the decision to exhume the remains and move them to New Monk-lands Cemetery.

The council applied last week for a sheriff's warrant to allow the exhumation process to go ahead. Public notices have appeared in local and national press. A contractor has also been appointed to carry out the exhumation works .

"We believe this is the most appropriate way of dealing with the remains," said Councillor Tom Maginnis, convener of regeneration services with North Lanarkshire Council. "The exhumation and re-internment processes will be carried out sensitively and respectfully by a specialist contractor."