Borders crematorium described as 'most beautiful in Britain'

Ally McGilvray • Published 12 Dec 2011 09:31 2 Comments

IT is one of the most controversial new buildings in the Borders. But the region's first crematorium has been described as the most beautiful in Britain.

Adrian Britton, commercial director of the Bristol-based Westerleigh Group, made the comments ahead of the opening of his firm's new £2.6million development in Melrose.

He revealed he spent almost 20 years searching for a suitable site for a crematorium in the region and looked at 50 potential locations before he unearthed the site next to Waird's cemetery.

However, despite concerns over building the new Borders Crematorium in a National Scenic Area - one of only two in the region - the former President of the Federation of British Cremation Authorities claimed the site on the lower slopes of the Eildon Hills is the best he has ever seen.

Speaking to the Border Telegraph after giving Scottish Borders Council leader David Parker the first official tour of the new development on Thursday, Mr Britton said: "I've got to say, I've travelled the length and breadth of the country in my job and I think this is the most beautiful site for a crematorium I have ever seen.

"I first looked for a site for a crematorium in the Borders back in 1993 when I met the local council in Hawick and spoke to numerous people, including the local clergy, over a very, very long period of time. We must have looked at literally 50 sites. But four years ago things looked more promising when Scottish Borders Council announced they had identified a number of potential sites. We looked at those and there were two that really stood out - one near Galashiels and this one here."

But he added: "The site in Melrose was clearly by far the best site for a crematorium so to see it actually coming out the ground and nearing completion is a very satisfying experience."

At present there is no crematorium in the Borders - the nearest being about 30 miles away in Edinburgh. However, the developers believe the new site in Melrose will serve the whole region when it opens on Tuesday, December 13.

It is expected it will initially cater for about 600 funerals each year - eventually reaching 900 after a decade.

Mr Britton said: "I think everyone has recognised over a very long period of time that the Borders needs a crematorium in the region. Obviously there was some dispute as to where that should be positioned." But he added: "I think when it is completed and the planting is established it will be barely noticed and, two years down the line, I am convinced that everyone will be very happy with it."

In November 2009, councillors on the local authority's planning committee voted in favour of building the region's first crematorium in Melrose - despite concerns that building a crematorium on the Eildon Hills could damage tourism in the area.

However, Councillor Parker, who represents Leaderdale and Melrose on Scottish Borders Council, revealed he believes they have found the right site.

Councillor Parker said: "I think this is a very special site and I can't think of a better place to end life's journey than at the bottom of the Eildon Hills. It really is quite a spectacular place and a very unique place, and I think Borderers, who have waited a very, very long time to have this facility, will be relieved to have such a quality facility in their community."

And he added: "At last, it will end the nightmare and trauma of having to travel out of our region when they have to say farewell to a loved one."

It is anticipated the building works, which are being carried out by local construction firm Borders Construction, will be completed by December 5 and an official dedication service, to celebrate the opening of the crematorium, is planned in the new year.

George Bell, a former head of bereavement services at Edinburgh City Council, has been appointed manager of the Borders Crematorium which boasts 98 seats and 76 parking spaces. He introduced himself at a meeting of Melrose and District Community Council last week.

He explained the new crematorium would be open Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm, as well as some Saturdays between 9am and 11am, and the cost of a cremation would be £595.

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This article appeared in Border Telegraph 12 Dec 11

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  Caroline
  Unregistered User
  Dec 15, 20:50
  Report comment

  How I wish that this building had been available two years ago when my father died and in July when my mother passed away.
  
  The journey to Edinburgh was so terribly traumatic for me on my father's funeral, I suffered for months and months - and even today, I still think about that gruelling journey on that Saturday morning. I also found the inside of the Edinburgh Crematorium quite dreadful, which made things even worse for me.
  
  When my darling mother died in July, I simply did not want to go through all that again so decided on a casket internment, but had to face up to the fact that my Mummy (her coffin) would be on her own, travelling all that way to Edinburgh and back. Just the very thought of that long, lonesome journey made me quite ill. I live abroad and this also made things very sad and trying for me.
  
  Of course, I was lucky to have direct contact with Browns in Melrose, whom I know personally. Without them, it would have been unbearable.
  
  If, however, the new Crematorium had been open for my parents, I would have felt so very much better about the whole situation, knowing that they would have been staying in their much loved locality in the beautiful Borders and I'm sure that everyone locally will find this new situation so very comforting.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 14     No 3

• 

  hazelkaye
  224 posts
  Dec 20, 15:07
  Report comment

  Not really the type of building to get all heated and "fired up" about!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 13     No 0

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