Become a Friend of the Thomas & Elizabeth Mayhook Charity.
I am writing this letter to appeal to all of the former parishioners along with relatives and friends of those buried in the church grounds at St David’s, also neighbours, and anyone interested and connected with the history of Carmarthen, to be aware that finally, a major clearance operation has began over two years ago to bring the north and east sections of the cemetery back to a place of dignity to those buried there. It is unfortunate that the church itself was closed in 2003 mainly due to storm damage and safety issues. In 2011 the church, along with the surrounding land/cemetery (north and east sections) had been sold to a private developer. The charity is named after my late grandparents (Tommy and Bessie as they were affectionately known) who are buried in St David’s Cemetery. The charities role is to take over the maintenance and upkeep of this section of the cemetery and to repair and restore where possible as many memorials as possible, and for this to happen we are reliant on donations of any kind, large and small, one off donations, or by the enclosed standing order mandate, which will ensure a regular income for the charities work of annual maintenance.
I am delighted to inform you that the charity gained official charitable status as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with the Charity Commission in December 2015, and in October 2017 the charity officially became the owners of the cemetery (north and east sections) which is a microcosm of Carmarthen’s rich military, social, economic, industrial, cultural, and maritime history, as inscribed on many of it’s memorials of those interred there going back to February 1841. With an area the size of the Cardiff Principality Rugby pitch (12,000 square metres) and over 6,500 burials, together with a stone boundary wall 200 metres long and eight foot high the effort required will be monumental but very much achievable if we receive sufficient support. On the 15th September 2015, myself, my brother and a friend of ours planted nearly one thousand daffodil bulbs at the entrance to the church and cemetery, thereby creating an oasis of colour between January and March each year, as there are two variants of the flower which come into bloom at different times. We also planted a further thousand bulbs at the rear of the church in October last year, resulting in a mass of colour along the footpath.
The task ahead of the Trustees is an onerous one that will be achieved providing we receive the much needed financial support and backing of local inhabitants and businesses, and of those now living further afield with an interest in the history of Carmarthen. I have attached a Friends of the Thomas & Elizabeth Mayhook Charity standing order mandate payable monthly, the amount you wish to contribute is entirely at your discretion though we do ask for a minimum of £4.00 per month if possible, and anything larger will be a bonus and most welcome. If you know of someone who would like to support us please send a copy on to them. You will receive regular newsletters keeping you up to date on all our activities. Ideally we need at least 50 Friends to raise the funds required on an annual basis. Not everyone is able to afford large donations so this gives more people the opportunity to lend their support and gives the charity a much needed regular income, however small. It’s not much to ask for such an important local charitable cause. One off donations are also welcome, payable to the charity.
We do not process your data on this website. Please click here to download the donations pack which includes pdf forms for you to print at your convenience. Once downloaded to your computer please print and fill out the form relevant to your chosen donation then return it to the Treasurer. Please contact us if you would prefer the pack in Word format.
The Standing Order Mandates should be returned to the persons Bank for processing and the Gift Aid Form returned to the Treasurer of the Charity together with any “one off” cheque donations.
Name and Address of Treasurer:
Robert Goodridge
Brynglas
Gerynant
Llangunnor
Carmarthen
SA31 2NY
Rest assured that in time we shall restore this sacred and important cemetery back to a respectable and pleasant place in which to visit, and I thank you in advance for your support. However you decide to support us your interest and support is much appreciated indeed.
Richard J Goodridge. MBE
(Chairman)