RESIDENTS are invited to ‘adopt’ a grave in the grounds of the Windleshaw Chantry.

Over the past couple of years a hardworking group of volunteers have tirelessly toiled to renovate the area - making it fit for visitors and its rich history.

The group have met each weekend to tidy up the grounds surrounding the Windleshaw Chantry, commonly as the ‘abbey’.

The site is one of the town’s most historic, with chantry dating back more than six centuries with its origins going back to 1415.

The grounds’ historical significance includes tomb of Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Francois Graux de la Bruyere, who is responsible for bringing glass making to the town and was the first manager of Ravenhead glassworks.

“As we’re doing all this work, we have no time to maintain them so we have come up with the idea of people adopting a grave,” said historian Ted Forsyth, of the group.

“Across the country there are a few burial sites in this situation where they get people involved but then run into this problem where they then need to be maintained.

“Those who adopt a grave will come up two or three times a year to tidy it up.

“There is a complete list of surnames of people buried in there which I will put on Facebook so people can pick a grave, maybe if any of their ancestors are there they may be available.

“They will be claimed on a first-come first-serve basis.”

Among the graves in the area is James Unsworth, who was an organist at Holy Cross Church, and taught Thomas Beecham how to play the piano.

“There are about 50 or 60 that need to be looked after while we will carry on doing our work,” added Ted, from Haresfinch.

“We meet every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

“We are also looking for any schools who want to get involved and we can give a tour or even a talk in the school.”

The group is also looking for more volunteers to help with renovation works.

See ‘Chantry St Helens’ on Facebook to express interest.