North Ayrshire Council hosts dedication ceremony at new Redston Cemetery
The cemetery features 259 lairs, of which 235 are standard burial lairs and 24 are for ashes only
North Ayrshire Council has held a dedication ceremony for the new Redston Cemetery in Kilwinning.
The new community cemetery is the first new facility of its kind the council has opened in a decade, and has been created on a brand new site.
The cemetery features 259 lairs, of which 235 are standard burial lairs and 24 are for ashes only.
The graveyard has been named after a former farm in the area and it is expected to offer “enough capacity for an initial ten years with potential for expansion”.
North Ayrshire Provost Anthea Dickson performed the official opening alongside councillor Tony Gurney, cabinet member for Green Environment and Economy, and invited guests, including members of the local clergy.
Susan Hill, from Kilwinning Congregational Church, and reverend Hilary Beresford, from Mansfield Trinity Church did the scripture readings.
The dedication of the cemetery and a prayer of dedication were said by pastor Logan Heeke, of Kilwinning Evangelical Church and Bridge Church Pastor David McLaughlin.
RB Steele Funeral Directors’ representative Ruth McGready then read a poem before Provost Dickson delivered the civic opening ceremony and unveiled a plaque.
Councillor Gurney said: “It was a very touching and important ceremony. This new Council cemetery will give bereaved and grieving residents somewhere to come and mourn their loved ones and reflect on their lives for years to come. It is a peaceful space, which is central for people to attend services and pay their respects to people they have lost.”