Cottenham Dissenters' Cemetery

12/06/2026

Trustees marked the 181st anniversary of the cemetery today by leaving a posy of flowers on Ann Norman’s grave.

12/06/2026

On this day, June 12th 1845, Cottenham Dissenters' Cemetery was formally opened. According to the local press, an assemblage of 500 to 600 people attended the ceremony, with addresses given by Rev T. Sutton (Ebenezer Chapel) and Rev J. Green (Old Meeting House).

The cemetery had been established by members of local nonconformist churches (Dissenters) in response to the difficulties they faced in burying their loved ones without interference from the established Church. A board of trustees was formed, and an acre of land on Lambs Lane (then known as Mill Road) was purchased from farmer James Graves for £280, with funds raised through public subscriptions from the nonconformist congregations.

The first burial in the cemetery was that of three-year-old Ann Norman, daughter of Richard and Molly Norman of Queenholme Farm. Ann died of whooping cough on June 8th and was laid to rest on June 12th 1845 - the same day as the opening. Her memorial carries the inscription: “The first interment in this Cemetery.”

Since then, the Dissenters' Cemetery has continued to serve as a place of rest and remembrance for the local community, with around 4,000 individuals recorded in its burial register.

Since 2015, the cemetery has been managed as a registered charitable organisation, overseen by volunteer trustees dedicated to ensuring it remains a peaceful resting place, available to all in Cottenham. In recent years, this work has included establishing a new cemetery extension to meet the future needs of the community.

05/06/2026

This inscription, found on a kerbstone in the Cemetery, “Sunset and evening star, and one clear call for me,” is the opening line of Crossing the Bar, one of the best-known poems by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Written in 1889, the poem was later set to music and became a popular hymn. It remains a frequent choice for funerals and memorial services. The full text reads:

Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;

For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.

02/06/2026

It's national Volunteers' Week!

Which is a perfect opportunity to say a big THANK YOU to all our wonderful volunteers who give their time and support to help care for the cemetery.

If you'd be interested in joining our friendly team of volunteers, you can sign up to our mailing list here:
https://forms.gle/xhvoqwrFYadsn1AX8

You can also find us on GoVo:
https://govo.org/charity/cottenham_dissenters_cemetery_cio/opportunities/cemetery_clear_up_volunteer

Join us from Monday 1st - Sunday 7th June 2026 as we celebrate Volunteers’ Week and look to inspire more people to make a difference.

25/05/2026

Sunlight beautifully filtering through the branches of one of our cedar trees on a very warm day.

Thanks for the great photo Ian Johnston

20/05/2026

Occasionally we come across early photographs of the Cemetery. Although quite rare, particularly pre 1980s/90s they’re always fascinating to see, helping us understand how the Cemetery has evolved over the years and revealing features now lost to time.

If you have any old photographs of the Cemetery you’d be willing to share (the earlier the better), please comment below or email [email protected] Thank you!

17/05/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our cemetery clear-up yesterday morning. It was really lovely to welcome our new volunteers along.

Together we concentrated on the lower east side of the cemetery, with tasks including grave clearance, levelling, cutting back, mowing, strimming and sweeping - all making a difference to an area in need of some TLC.

If you're interested in joining us in caring for this special space in our village, you can sign up at:

https://forms.gle/xhvoqwrFYadsn1AX8

and we'll add you to our mailing list!

We can also be found on GoVo:
https://govo.org/charity/cottenham_dissenters_cemetery_cio/opportunities/cemetery_clear_up_volunteer

Thanks for all your valued hard work and support!

25/04/2026

Happening tomorrow afternoon at the wonderful Histon Road Cemetery...

Do come along this coming Sunday 26th April to our Tales and Trails family day in Histon Road Cemetery! There will be storytelling by Marion Leeper www.marionleeperstoryteller.co.uk, a Discovery Trail, cakes and refreshments, FREE ICE CREAMS and a warm welcome!

While mainly for primary school children and their families, the stories and Discovery Trail will be fun for adults too - did you know, for instance, that there's someone buried in Histon Road Cemetery who logged 14,500 stars in his lifetime from the Cambridge Observatory? How did he even find the time? (A rather dry remark from one friend is that someone else fed him!) There are lots more interesting stories like this so if you're free and fancy a nice afternoon, do join us.

19/02/2026

Voting is once again open for the Movement for Good Awards run by the Benefact Group.

Please take a moment by following the link below to nominate Cottenham Dissenters’ Cemetery and help us win £1000!

Thank you for your support!

We could receive a £1,000 donation with your help through the Movement for Good Draw.