Ford Park Cemetery Trust
Cemetery of Choice

"A Working Cemetery in the Heart of Plymouth"

New Logo Inverted 300px

Tel 01752 665442    

SPRING
Seasons 1Many areas are carpeted with Primroses, one of the earliest of spring flowers. Below the Turkey Oaks on the western boundary there is a profusion of Ramsons (Wild Garlic) and Bluebells, while later in spring the unusual umbellifer, Corky-fruited Water-dropwort flowers beside the path to the Glendower gate. Birdsong from residents such as Robin, Song Thrush and Chaffinch can be heard from late winter, soon joined by migrants such as Blackcap and Chiff Chaff, whilst on sunny days the first butterflies of the season, Holly Blue, Brimstone and Green-veined White appear. This is also the time to look for rarer migrant birds such as Wheatear and Turtle Dove which can pass though on their way to their breeding areas.

SUMMER
Seasons 2Summer is the time to look for insects. Search the swathes of Ox-eye daisies for the metallic green Fat-legged Flower-beetle, and the grasses in the area around the Monkey Puzzle Tree for Britain's largest insect, the Great Green Bush-Cricket. The flowers of Ragwort and Creeping Thistle are especially attractive to butterfly species such as Marbled White, Gatekeeper and Common Blue, and it is here you will also find many species of bee and hoverfly.

AUTUMN
Seasons 3Regularly in September Spotted Flycatchers use the Cemetery as a staging post on their migration to warmer climes. They are often seen in the north eastern corner. The acorns from the Turkey Oaks provide a bonanza for both Jays and Grey Squirrels. The usually shy Jays can be seen flying from the trees to bury the acorns around the grounds. Yew, Holly, Hawthorn berries are abundant and will soon be feeding the late autumn and winter visitors.

WINTER
Seasons 4Redwing, Mistle Thrush and Fieldfare arrive and will feed on the berries until they are gone, which can be as early as December depending on the abundance of the berry crop. Winter is the best time of year to look for the diminutive Goldcrest, Britain's smallest bird. They are usually seen with flocks of Long-tailed, Coal, Blue and Great Tits in the trees near Central Park. Black Redstarts favour the north eastern part of the Cemetery, perching on headstones, "shivering" their tails as they look for their invertebrate prey. Meadow Pipits may be seen almost anywhere and in really harsh weather a Snipe might be flushed from the quiet grassy areas.

Subscribe Mailing List

Events

14 Apr
Building Plymouth - A walk with the Heritage Team
Sunday 14 April 2024 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
20 Apr
St George's Day Afternoon Tea
Saturday 20 April 2024 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Tickets £12 from the cemetery office

25 May
Pasty & Quiz Night
Saturday 25 May 2024 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Tickets £10 from the cemetery office

8 Jun
D Day Celebration
Saturday 8 June 2024 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Including songs from the Forties

Tickets £12 from the Cemetery office

22 Jun
Medieval Lunch
Saturday 22 June 2024 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Tockets £12 from the Cemetery office