Welcome to the Website of the Friends of Darwen Cemetery.
Registered Charity Number 1142815
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The Man Who Helped To Build Darwen
Benjamin Lloyd played a significant role in the architectural development of Darwen through the construction of numerous important buildings.
He was born in Mould, Wales on 16th February 1840, the fourth child of Edward Lloyd and Harriet (nee Jones). By 1851 the family had moved to Chester. As a young man Benjamin went to London and later came to Manchester. By 1859 he had arrived in Darwen as a brick-setter and was involved in building India Mill chimney.
In 1865 he established an important business as a builder and contractor and five years later he took Abraham Milward (one of his employees) into partnership Although the partnership was dissolved in September 1890 the firm continued to operate under the name of Lloyd and Milward.
Benjamin’s practical abilities were well known throughout the building trade and he was involved in constructing many prominent building in Darwen, for example the new Millstone Hotel, Hollins Grove Congregational Church and School, the Provident Cooperative Society’s stores, the restoration of Hollins Grove and Hollins mills, the Post Office in Union Street, chimneys at Hollins and Spring Vale Paper mills, stores at Sough for the Industrial Cooperative Society, the Blackburn Road stores, the re-building of St James’ and Belgrave schools, and the extensive alternations at South Street Mills, the houses in Lloyd Street and many others.
In 1862 he married Sarah Jane Worrall at St Michael, Chester and they had a large family though three of the children died in infancy.
Benjamin was an active member of the local Conservative Party and in May 1902 he was created a JP. He attended and supported St Cuthbert’s Church. In early 1914 his health began to suffer, and he spent some time staying with his brother at Blackpool. Shortly after returning to his home, 92 Crown Terrace (Blackburn Road) he took a turn for the worse and passed away on 31st July 1914. He was buried on 3rd August 1914 in the same grave with his wife and three of his children (Louisa (1871), Louisa (1875) and Bertram (1877).
One of his son’s, Arthur, was the father of William Matthews Lloyd and Betty Worrell Lloyd whose names are still known in Darwen as the WM & BW Lloyd Charity Trust which was established for the benefit of Darwen.
For more information see: https://thelloydtrust.co.uk/
FODC 29.1.26
Our Last Working Party for 2025
On Saturday 6th December we held our last working party of 2025 when we tended all the graves which are part of our Grave Maintenance Scheme.
Thankfully the rain held off until we’d finished.
After we finished tending to the graves in scheme we got together for some homemade pasties, made by Jill, they were very tasty and a warm drink to say thank you to our volunteers.
Our Chairman Graham said “It’s been a busy year for us and I’d like to thank EVERYONE who has volunteered with us and supported us during 2025. You are all very much appreciated.
A story of William Ellis a Musician from Darwen
William Ellis (1843-1876)
William, son of George Ellis and Dorothy Marsden, was born in Blackburn in 1843 and benefited from his father’s expertise as a distinguished musician by learning the cornet, violin, and piano under his guidance.
He was subsequently engaged as a tutor on these instruments by several prominent families in Darwen and Blackburn. On March 10th, 1866, William was appointed bandmaster of the Darwen Rifle Volunteers (Lancashire Rifle Volunteers), and he expanded his teaching to include other bands such as Accrington Volunteers, Haslingden Volunteers, Tottington, Blackburn Borough, Burnley, Nelson, Trawden, Ramsbottom, Saltaire, Stalybridge Old, Guide Temperance, St George’s Preston, Mill Hill Temperance, and Whalley.
Due to his demanding work schedule his health became to suffer. In early 1876, he was advised to recuperate in Algiers.
After showing some improvement, he relocated to the Victoria Hotel in Jersey; however, he suffered a severe fit shortly after arrival, necessitating his wife’s presence. Although he recovered initially, a second fit on March 25th left him bedridden for five days. By the following Friday, William had regained good spirits and remarked to his wife that recent band contests were proving too stressful, and he intended to discontinue participating upon returning home. That same day, he composed a piece dedicated to his wife and sent two quicksteps to the Darwen Band for rehearsal. Unfortunately, William passed away on March 31st at 8pm, before he could hear his band perform these compositions.
His body was returned to Darwen and on April 7th his funeral procession departed from his residence on Green Street East, accompanied large procession, including the Darwen Band’s who played “The Dead March in Saul” on route to the cemetery. The service was held at the Church of England Mortuary Chapel. There were over 6,000 individuals at the graveside. As the coffin was lowered, the band performed two verses of “Abide With Me, Fast Falls the Eventide,” followed by a volley fired over the grave by a firing party led by Instructing-Sergeant Flynn.
Some time later a memorial stone was erected by the band members of the 2nd Lancashire Rifle Volunteers and of William’s friends in Darwen
For the results of William Ellis’ brass band competition see:
https://www.brassbandresults.co.uk/people/william-ellis/conductor
The grave in Section B Plot 19
FODC November 2025
CVS Community Volunteer Awards 2025
On Thursday 6th November 2025 the Friends of Darwen Cemetery attended the 2025 CVS Community Volunteer Awards held at Ewood Park.
We were runners up in two group categories which were Place Group Award and Participation Group Award.
Graham, Tony, Jill, Ann and Stephen receiving one of the awards.
A really big “Thank You” to all our Trustees and Volunteers for all their hard work in the Cemetery, if it was not for them we would of not have got shortlisted for the awards.
All photographs taken by Paul Dargan
FODC November 2025
Remembrance Day Services 2025
As usual this year we held two Remembrance Day Services.
The first service was for the Local Schools on Friday 7th November 2025
Luckily the weather was fine this year and only started to rain as we left the Cemetery.
We had 14 different primary and secondary schools from Darwen and Lower Darwen attend the ceremony with 92 school children and 26 staff members, what a fabulous turnout. A great big thank you to Glenda for your great work with liaising with all the Schools.
Thank you to the Rossendale and Darwen MP Andy MacNea Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn with Darwen Council Councillor Jacqui Slater and Mrs Lillian Salton Mayor of Darwen Town Council, Councillor Stephanie Brookfield for attending the service for all attending.
Thank you to Gordon for playing the Bagpipes to start to the service.
Thank you to Rev Terry Young for taking the service
Thank you to the School children who gave the Bible reading.
Thank you to Ben Parker from DACA for playing live the Last Post and Reveille / Rouse
Dignitaries laying the wreaths against the WW1 Memorial Wall.
Followed by the Pupils from the Schools to lay their wreaths.
Lovely to see our former Trustee and Volunteer Colin.
After the service the School Children went out in to the Cemetery to lay a poppy on all the Commonwealth Graves in the Cemetery.
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Our 2nd Service which is open to the General Public is on Sunday 9th November 2025
The weather on the Sunday was very similar to the weather on the Friday service where it was fine throughout the service and only started to rain as everybody started to leave the cemetery at the end.
Once again a big thank you to Rev Terry Young for taking the service.
A big thank you to Whitehall, Bold Venture and St Josephs Scout groups for attending the service and helping with the Bible readings.
We had over 100 attend our Sunday service.
Thank you to Mellissa Dabrowski for the use of your PA system.
The Trustees and Volunteers would like to thank everybody who attended the two services, we had over 250 attend both services.
And finally a big thank you to all our Volunteers who helped organise and take part in the event.
FODC November 2025
Some Photographs of our Latest Grave Maintenance Working Party
To see more graves click on the link below
Grave Maintenance Working Party 27th October 2025
A big thank you to all our volunteers who helped with the Working Party
And a big thankyou for the bakers of the cakes after the working party, they were really yum yum!
FODC September 2025
Unveiling of our NEW World War II Memorial Stone
On Saturday 13th September 2025 we unveiled our WWII Memorial Stone in the Cemetery.
Even the weather could not put a dampener on the ceremony. Five minutes before we started the service and ten minutes after the service finished we had glorious sunshine but during the service the heavens opened.
The memorial, which is dedicated to the 28 Service Men and Women buried in the Cemetery, and recognised by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, who died during or after the end of WWII from their injuries or illness, was unveiled by the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Mrs Amanda Parker JP.
Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire also laid the official wreath
Also present at the service and laid a wreath was the Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn with Darwen Council and the Mayor of Darwen Town Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council, Councillor Jacqui Slater and Mrs Lillian Salton and the Mayor of Darwen Town Council, Councillor Stephanie Brookfield.
And laying a wreath on behalf of the Friends of Darwen Cemetery was our President Col (Ret’d) Steve Davies MBE.
A wreath was also laid by Edwin Ainsworth Ltd, we would like to thank Melissa and Trish for all their help on the booklet and the event.
Also present was Andy MacNae MP and representatives from the local branches of the Royal British Legion and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Thank you for your support.
Thank you to Rev’d Terry Young for his Blessing the Memorial
And a special thanks you to our chair, Graham Ardis and the rest of the FODC volunteers for all the preparation before and during the event. It is very much appreciated.
We would also like to say thank you to the Lloyd Trust, Darwen Town Council and Stevenson Memorials for their support.
Thank you to Bold Venture Scout Group for attending the service.
A booklet is available to go with the event listing the history of the 28 Service Men and Women named on the Memorial at a £4.00 plus postage.
All the proceeds from the booklet going to the Friends of Darwen Cemetery for future projects in the Cemetery
FODC September 2025
More Headstones go back up on Section G
FODC July 2025
Good Bye to our Oldest Container
, one of our containers had been a container for too long.
But watch the space as it won’t be empty for long !
FODC July 2025
Pointing the way to our Ashes / Memorial Garden
Darwen’s New MP Visits the Cemetery
Andy Mac Nae MP visited the cemetery Saturday morning and spent time seeing the work the volunteers were undertaking as part of the Grave Maintenance Scheme. He spent time talking to some of the volunteers and our new chairman Graham Ardis.
he wants to be kept informed of events taking in the cemetery.
He also visited the grave of Sir David Shackleton, who was the third Labour Member of Parliament to be elected.
FODC June 2025
Our Latest Grave Maintenance Working Party
Here are some photographs of of our June Grave Maintenance Working Party.
Before and after photographs
Some after photographs
Thank you to everybody who helped out on Saturday and to those who brought the cakes for afterwards.
FODC June 2025
FODC changes it’s Chairman
At the recent Friends of Darwen Cemetery AGM held on Wednesday 4th June 2025 we elected a new chairman Graham Ardis who has taken over from Tony Foster.
Tony served the FODC for many years and been an inspirational leader both in his knowledge, leadership and action.
Leading many walks and imputing the group with his vast interest in local history and especially the war graves.
We thank him most sincerely as he continues as a trustee of FODC and we welcome Graham who has already made his mark with Find A Grave, upgrading health and safety issues and the QR codes to support the education given visitors to the cemetery with information of the site.
FODC relies on volunteers to help maintain the restoration, provide heritage projects and encourage wildlife. If your interested please contact Graham on contact@darwencemetery.org.uk
FODC website www.darwencemetery.org.uk/
FODC June 2025
Adopt a War Grave
We are reaching out to organisations and individuals to help maintain and care for our war graves
We currently have several war graves available for adoption.
Your commitment will help preserve the memory of those who served and ensure the resting places are respected.
Click on the link to open in a PDF format
Contact Graham at contact@darwencemetery.org.uk to express your interest in adopting a war grave or for more information scan the QR code on the poster.
Thanks to Melissa for creating the poster.
FODC May 2025
Damage in the Cemetery
Unfortunately the recent spate of antisocial behaviour impacting our local parks & playgrounds has spread to Darwen Western Cemetery.
Some minor damage was caused in the Cemetery yesterday evening.
Please can all responsible visitors to the Cemetery contact the Police on 101 if you see any incidents of antisocial behaviour.
FODC April 2025
Cemetery Entrance Planter Looks as Good as New
On Saturday 12th April 2025 Graham cleaned and painted the planter at the entrance to Cemetery between the to Lodges.
Graham managed to remove all the mould after many years gathering it and re paint it in a nice gloss black finish , the lines were highlighted in a Silver colour and the Bees in Gold.
Well done Graham what a fantastic job.
FODC April 2025
Brief History of the Cemetery
The Local Board of Health formed a Burial Board in 1858 to provide a public burial ground. Up to then the only burial grounds were the graveyards of the various places of worship. The long use of these graveyards, their limited area, and the growth of the town made it difficult to find space for new graves.
The Burial Board acquired land at Whitehall on the west of the Bolton road. The area was drained, fenced, and laid out into sections for Church of England, Nonconformist and Roman Catholic burials.
Mortuary Chapels were erected and the cemetery opened in June 1861. In 1876 further land was obtained, the combined area being about 20 acres. The western cemetery is really two cemeteries – the Old to the south and the New to the north.
Towards the end of the Second World War it was becoming obvious that a further burial ground was necessary and land was acquired on the opposite side of the main road. This became known, rather confusingly, as the New Cemetery and then as the Eastern Cemetery. Work was under way by 1945 and the land was consecrated within a year or so. The area was extended in the late 1970s.
Photograph of the two lodges at the entrance to the Western Cemetery.
Note the large Iron Gates which stood between the two Lodges, in between the two Lodges you can see the Church of England Chapel
A closer photograph of the Church of England Chapel that once stood in the Cemetery
This photograph shows the Roman Catholic Chapel that once stood in the Cemetery.
The above photograph is one that has taken years to find, this is the Non Conformist Chapel which once stood on the large mound in the centre of the old Cemetery, a big thank you to Alan Walton and the Commonwealth War Commission for the photograph
If you would like to see more history on the Cemetery click on the Research tab.
If you would like to see history of the Friends of Darwen Cemetery click on the FODC Timeline tab.