Hedge End Keep the Green Flag Flying 2011/2012

The Green Flag Awards Scheme Recognises And Rewards The Best Green Spaces In The Country And Acknowledges That These Sites Are Being Maintained To The Highest National Standards.

Hedge End Town Council is extremely proud to announce that it has achieved the Green Flag Award for a second year running. The Green Flag Award 2011/2012 has been extended this year to include both the Albert Road Cemetery and the War Memorial Garden in St John’s Road.

Denise Lowth, Deputy Town Clerk commented:
“In its second successful year of application for the Green Flag Award the Town Council have taken the advice of the Green Flag Inspector and included the War Memorial Garden situated in St Johns Rd, just a 5 minute walk from the grounds of Albert Road Cemetery. The Town Council’s vision and aim is to maintain the highest quality service and provision to the Parishioner, not only for an essential amenity at the most sensitive and demanding times, but also in providing a peaceful and tranquil place of rest that can be visited for its beauty, wildlife and quiet contemplation.
The small War Memorial Garden hosts the village’s Remembrance Day parade each year. This tiny garden is attended by dignitaries and veterans whilst an enormous congregation of up to 500 people line the streets for a glimpse of the ceremony and to pay their respects to those lost in battle.
Special thanks and congratulations go to our ground staff team, Ken Hiscock and Danny France for their hard work and commitment to the success of the award. ”


A unique and specially designed art deco archway (installed November 2010) identifies the site and welcomes the visitor to the grounds where the boundaries to residential properties are flanked and protected with high fences and screened with Silver Birches, Evergreen Oaks and Laurel Hedges. Flower and shrub beds are designed to reduce the amount of watering required to maintain good horticultural impact.
The cemetery boasts an area of Green-winged Orchid which, due to rapid decline, is now protected and therefore special precautions have been taken on site during the flowering season.
The first interment took place on 21st October 1931 and to date the Burial Registers record a total of 2214 burials at Albert Road Cemetery.
In 1981 the cemetery was designated as a lawn cemetery with all sections to remain laid to lawn.


The War Memorial stands in the middle of a forty foot square enclosure on turf with a circular path round leading in from the gate, recorded at the time of its erection, thirty seven men and lads who gave their lives in the ‘Great War’,1914-1918 in what was thought to be the war to end all wars.

The description of the memorial is recorded as ‘A Market Cross of Hopton-Wood Stone on Purbeck stone steps’. 

The memorial was unveiled by Rear-Admiral Sir E.P.F.G. Grant KCVO, CB on Wednesday 26th November 1924. Those who gave their lives during the Second World War, 1939-1945 were added to the memorial in 1993, second and third portions placed 1995/1996 respectively and within the last 2 years a further inscription in memory of Richard John Smith. As a result of an article in the Parish Gazette, it came to light that Private Richard John Smith from Hedge End lost his life during the Second World War. Private Richard John Smith, of the Pioneer Corps, died of his war wounds on 27th October 1943, aged 36. The Town Council consulted the War Graves Commission and concluded that he died on active service; his name fully entitled to be commemorated on the Hedge End War Memorial.A commemorative slab bearing his name was prepared and installed in time for the Remembrance Service in 2009.