The Memorial Awareness Board (MAB) is proud to announce the category winners for the 2007 Cemetery of the Year Awards (complete list of winners provided below).
The highly prestigious awards ceremony was held last night, 16 October at The Cairn Hotel in Harrogate as part of the Institute for Cemetery and Crematorium Management’s (ICCM) annual conference. The awards were presented by novelist Howard Hodgson and the Mayor of Harrogate, Councillor Cliff Trotter.
Cemeteries and Crematoria entering the CYA 2007 were judged according to a range of criteria including design, maintenance, facilities, the freedom of memorial choice and the improvement of site regulations. All short-listed applicants were assessed during a site visit by the judges, of which they were not given advance warning.
The Awards, now in their tenth year, aims to raise standards in burial grounds and encourage choice for the bereaved. It is a nation wide competition for cemeteries, crematoria, green and pet burial sites.
Awards Administrator Maria Jose Ovalle says, “Over the past ten years, the awards have evolved in order to encompass the changing needs not only of the bereaved but also of those who work within the wider industry. We recognise that cemeteries and crematoria are not just a place of rest, but an essential part of every community. Beauty and accessibility are important elements, but we try to look beyond the aesthetics and focus on improving standards year after year.”
MAB received a record number of 55 entries this year, which were all extremely impressive.
2007 Cemetery of the Year Awards Winners
A Cemeteries of 3.5 acres and below
Winner - Wood Green Cemetery, London
Runner Up - Reigate Garden of Remembrance, Surrey
B Cemeteries of 12 acres and below
Winner - Alperton Cemetery, Middlesex
Runner Up - Tudhoe Cemetery, County Durham
Honourable Mention – Nanpean Cemetery, St. Austell
C Cemeteries above 12 acres
Winner - East Finchley Cemetery, London
Runner Up - Oystermouth Cemetery, Swansea
Honourable Mention - Cheshunt Cemetery, Cheshunt, Herts
D Cemeteries with Crematorium
Winner - Carlisle Cemetery and Crematorium, Carlisle
Runner Up - The City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London
Honourable Mention – Carmountside Cemetery and Crematorium, Staffordshire
E Crematoria Only
Winner - Masonhill Crematorium, Scotland
Runner Up - West Herts Crematorium, Herts
Honourable Mention – Gwent Crematorium, Torfaen
F Green Burial Sites Only
Winner - Colney Woodland Burial Park, Norwich
Runner Up - Herongate Wood Burial Ground, Essex
G Pet Cemeteries Only
Winner - Brynford Pet Cemetery, Flintshire
Special Awards
NAMM Freedom of Choice Award
Colchester Crematorium and Cemetery, Essex
Special Award for Community Involvement
The City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London
MAB Special Award for Best Memorial
TW Lees, London
Special Awards for Best Baby and Infant Memorial Garden
Carmountside Cemetery and Crematorium, Staffordshire
ICCM Special Award for Environmental Awareness
Carlisle Cemetery and Crematorium, Carlisle
Special Award for Best Floral Arrangement
Gwent Crematorium, Torfaen
The Welters Award for Innovation
Wood Green Cemetery, London