Bristol Memorial Woodlands

ENVIRONMENTALISTS OPT FOR BURIAL

Care for the environment is leading to a growing number of people in the South West choosing to be buried rather than cremated.

Bristol Memorial Woodlands, where a 100acre wood and meadows are being created as part of the burial grounds, has seen a surge in sales of burial plots and people requesting burials rather than cremations. With cremations in Bristol’s Canford and South Bristol Crematoriums alone using over 20,000 cubic metres of gas per month those who care about their environmental impact are leaving instructions for their funerals.

For decades cremations have been more popular than burials as church attendances decline, but now woodland burials are on the increase. Depending on the efficiency of the crematoria equipment the average cremation uses 28 gallons of fuel for each body emitting around 540 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Chris Baker, who founded Bristol Memorial Woodlands, near Alveston, north of Bristol, said: “We cater for both burials and interment of ashes and we are finding more and more people are going back to the age-old tradition of burial.

“People with a strong faith often have a particular way that they want their body to be treated after death but we find many people are more spiritual than religious. The idea appeals to them of their burial helping to create a woodland and that they will rest amongst trees, returning to the soil and supporting nature in the future. 14

“There is also a strong desire to protect the environment and reduce emissions to prevent global warming. It would be strange to spend a lifetime caring for the environment then choose cremation with its much higher carbon footprint.

“They don’t like the idea of using up gas, polluting the atmosphere or the concept of being scattered. With a burial the family have a place where they can go and feel connected to the person they have lost – and if that is in a woodland so much the better.”

Mr Baker said that there had been a surge in people buying burial plots in advance for their families as well as a growing number of people seeking burial when a loved one dies.

“There is a mistaken belief that we are running out of room to bury people in the UK. That just isn’t true. Yes, many church yards are full but there is a need to recreate woodland and a woodland cemetery provides the solution for both.”

All faiths and no faiths are catered for at Bristol Memorial Woodlands and a trust has been set up to manage the woodlands in future, which will be preserved for future generations. Predominantly native British species are planted and there are also sections of the 100 acres that are being planted as wild flower meadows. Further information: https://www.memorialwoodlands. com

Vegan one-pot pasta

Have a go at making your own vegetable stock, then use it to make this easy vegan one-pot pasta

Ingredients Method

1 aubergine 1 carrot 2 red peppers 1 red onion 2 garlic cloves 6 peppercorns 1 dried bay leaf 3 tbsp Olive oil 250g Penne pasta 400g Can chopped tomatoes 50g Raisins 1 tbsp drained jarred capers, chopped Parsley, chopped Cube the aubergine and carrot, slice the red peppers, finely chop the red onion and crush the garlic cloves

Place the discarded trimmings, seeds, outer leaves and stalks into a pan, along with 1.25 litres water, the peppercorns and dried bay leaf

Bring to a simmer and cook for 35 mins, then strain and discard the trimmings

Heat 1½ tbsp olive oil in a large pan and cook the aubergine and pepper over a high heat for 5-10 mins, until golden

Remove and set aside. Heat another 1½ tbsp olive oil, then cook the carrot, onion and garlic for 5 mins, over a low heat, until softened

Add the penne pasta, the stock and chopped tomatoes, then bring to the boil.

Reduce to a simmer, add the aubergine, pepper, raisins and capers, then cook, covered, for 12 mins

Cook uncovered for 3-4 mins, until the liquid is reduced and the pasta is al dente (cooked, but slightly firm)