A SPECIAL service will take place this weekend at a mass grave containing more than 1,000 bodies in Bradford.

The remains were moved from a city centre graveyard to Undercliffe Cemetery in the late 19th century. Volunteers have now cleared the overgrown site for a re-dedication service marking the historic partnership between the cemetery and Bradford Cathedral.

“The remains were re-interred here in 1896. It was a time of growth in Bradford; the city was developing from a township to a vast industrial power,” said Friends of Undercliffe Cemetery chairman Allan Hillary. “The Church Bank area was being created, for housing and industry, and 1,688 remains were taken from the old St Peter’s church graveyard to Undercliffe.

“The Church Bank development went through St Peter’s graveyard. There had been two big cholera epidemics in Bradford, in 1849 and 1856, which may be why there were so many people buried there at that time.”

St Peter’s Church became Bradford Cathedral, which celebrates its centenary this year. On Sunday the Cathedral will hold a re-dedication service, led by the Dean of Bradford, at the mass grave at Undercliffe Cemetery.

Earlier this year Mr Hillary approached the Cathedral asking for support to clear the area around the burial plot and re-set the Victorian grave, which is sinking into the ground. The Cathedral raised £750 towards the restoration project.

“We have straightened the area up and cleared the foliage - the grass was up to our armpits,” said Mr Hillary, who has been working with volunteers at the site.

“ The area is slowly sinking, there is nothing we can do about that because it is left to such a small group of volunteers to maintain this vast cemetery.”

The 26 acre cemetery, owned by Bradford Council, has 124,000 burials, including Victorian industrial and civic leaders and men who died in the First World War.

The grave containing the remains of 1,688 people was dedicated in 1897 by the then Bishop of Ripon. This weekend’s re-dedication service will be led by the Very Revd Jerry Lepine, who said: “It has been a pleasure to work with the Friends of Undercliffe Cemetery on this most important of projects. Since the grave was moved over 100 years ago it’s been difficult to hold back the forces of nature but now, thanks to the kind donations from those in the congregation and the Bradford Family History Society, we are able to restore the area to its former glory.

“It is important to ensure that these 19th century cemeteries are maintained as they hold the history of our cities. This has been a heritage project, involving the hard work of an excellent team of volunteers. The service will be a chance to thank all those involved in the work and to celebrate the fruitful partnership between the cathedral and the Friends of Undercliffe Cemetery.”

* The re-dedication service will take place on Sunday at 2pm, followed by refreshments. Everyone is welcome to attend.