Aim

Turning a dead space into a living place and ecological wonderland in Farsley, Leeds with all work undertaken by volunteers.

Farsley Rehoboth Burial Ground, nestled in Farsley, Leeds, is much more than a burial ground; it's a significant historical and local community asset. 

Dating back 250 years, this lovingly restored site offers a tangible connection to the interwoven stories of the local area. 

In 2018 we commenced the purchase of this historic site, sold by the church authorities 12 years earlier to a housing developer, already neglected, it became known as “The Jungle”, rotting behind high collapsing Victorian walls.

A year later our charity was accredited and the purchase, from the bankruptcy of the housing developer, was finalised.

In April 2019 we commenced the reclamation of this steep wooded site. Seven years later, unpaid volunteers have invested over 46,000 hours, three days a week, year-round.

We were adopted by Sir David Attenborough’s Wild Isles Trust in 2023 and hosted a community celebration for his 100th birthday a few weeks ago.

 We received the highest honour available to voluntary groups from King Charles in 2024 and hold a Heritage Open Day that invariably stretches to a month with overflow tours, supported by illustrated Trail Guards.

We are an official Commonwealth War Graves site, covering both World Wars, one of 13,420 in the United Kingdom. At the start of our reclamation, we were the only of the 13,420 with no legal right to access.

Outside of the September Heritage Open Day, we hold tours three days a week, open Christmas Eve and host visitors from around the world.

We write and circulate every Monday a newsletter to 600 supporters worldwide.

Our website is under pinned by a database containing the histories of the 4,138 people interred with over 56,000 documents researched.

We have produced books to aid researchers, a survey guide to our trees (recognising the importance of our ecology) and currently have a six-month exhibition in a prominent local museum (Abbey House, Leeds).

We never turn down a speaking engagement!

As an accredited volunteering centre for schools, corporate placements and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, we are able to extend our work and knowledge gained to young people and working people. 

Our work with the King’s Trust enables long term unemployed young people to gain jobs, we are also recognised as a proven centre for those with SEND.

The unbroken thread of everyday people and everyday histories, now expands into future generations as we are, once again, a place of burial and interment since 2022.

Farsley was a centre of Victorian textile manufacture, with our burial ground ringed by mills. Several of these still exist as successful arts, cultural or business centres. 

We discovered in 2025 that our hillside is landscaped using ashes and cinders from the boiler rooms of these mills, giving it a unique ecology and appearance.

Our impact has been described as galvanising our local communities.

June 2026 drone footage.

Our website.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made