Preserve the English Cemetery in Malaga
Donation protected
Who am I?
I am the President of the English Cemetery in Malaga Foundation, and prior to my retirement was British Consul in Malaga from 2000 to 2008.
Who I am fundraising for
The English Cemetery in Malaga was established in 1831 on land ceded to the British Crown and is the oldest Protestant cemetery on mainland Spain. A brief history can be found by navigating to the following link www.cementerioinglesdemalaga.org
Since its establishment the cemetery was largely funded by the sale of burial plots, niches and donations and received a small subvention from the British Government until this was withdrawn from all British cemeteries overseas in 1904 following a change in policy. Changes in funerary practices throughout the 20th century and the opening up of Spanish cemeteries to all faiths and nationalities in the 1950's saw this income stream fall to a trickle by the end of the 20th century. The cemetery remained open thanks to the efforts of volunteers but it eventually became apparent that it could not continue to survive unless some other solution could be found.
Given that neither the British nor Spanish authorities were willing to take responsibility for the maintenance and preservation of the cemetery, I proposed that a Spanish registered non-profit organisation should be established for this purpose. In 2006 the English Cemetery in Malaga Foundation was formed with the cemetery as its only asset. The English Cemetery in Malaga was listed as a site of Historic and Cultural Interest by the Autonomous Government of Andalucia in 2012 and is a member of the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe.
Current Situation
Since its formation the Foundation has managed to meet its primary objective of preserving and maintaining the cemetery using income derived from the sale of burials and niches, educational visits by schools, ticket sales to visitors, guided group tours, and various cultural events. However the COVID-19 pandemic, with all the restrictions that this has imposed, has seen all of these activities (except the funerary services) come to a virtual standstill. As a result, we have now been obliged to dispense with the gardener, return to volunteers for day to day maintenance and close the cemetery to the public from Monday to Friday. Our monthly outgoings on basic services of preservation and maintenance are approximately €5000. If we fail in our fundraising, we will be forced to restrict access to the cemetery even further.
Appeal
I am therefore now making this public appeal to the international community in Spain, to friends and relatives of those buried in the cemetery, and to all who would like to help preserve and maintain this historic site, to please make a donation. Tax residents in Spain may seek tax relief on charitable donations and the Foundation will issue a tax relief certificate on request. Those who may wish to contribute regularly can become a Friend of the English Cemetery, details of which may be found on our web site.
I am the President of the English Cemetery in Malaga Foundation, and prior to my retirement was British Consul in Malaga from 2000 to 2008.
Who I am fundraising for
The English Cemetery in Malaga was established in 1831 on land ceded to the British Crown and is the oldest Protestant cemetery on mainland Spain. A brief history can be found by navigating to the following link www.cementerioinglesdemalaga.org
Since its establishment the cemetery was largely funded by the sale of burial plots, niches and donations and received a small subvention from the British Government until this was withdrawn from all British cemeteries overseas in 1904 following a change in policy. Changes in funerary practices throughout the 20th century and the opening up of Spanish cemeteries to all faiths and nationalities in the 1950's saw this income stream fall to a trickle by the end of the 20th century. The cemetery remained open thanks to the efforts of volunteers but it eventually became apparent that it could not continue to survive unless some other solution could be found.
Given that neither the British nor Spanish authorities were willing to take responsibility for the maintenance and preservation of the cemetery, I proposed that a Spanish registered non-profit organisation should be established for this purpose. In 2006 the English Cemetery in Malaga Foundation was formed with the cemetery as its only asset. The English Cemetery in Malaga was listed as a site of Historic and Cultural Interest by the Autonomous Government of Andalucia in 2012 and is a member of the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe.
Current Situation
Since its formation the Foundation has managed to meet its primary objective of preserving and maintaining the cemetery using income derived from the sale of burials and niches, educational visits by schools, ticket sales to visitors, guided group tours, and various cultural events. However the COVID-19 pandemic, with all the restrictions that this has imposed, has seen all of these activities (except the funerary services) come to a virtual standstill. As a result, we have now been obliged to dispense with the gardener, return to volunteers for day to day maintenance and close the cemetery to the public from Monday to Friday. Our monthly outgoings on basic services of preservation and maintenance are approximately €5000. If we fail in our fundraising, we will be forced to restrict access to the cemetery even further.
Appeal
I am therefore now making this public appeal to the international community in Spain, to friends and relatives of those buried in the cemetery, and to all who would like to help preserve and maintain this historic site, to please make a donation. Tax residents in Spain may seek tax relief on charitable donations and the Foundation will issue a tax relief certificate on request. Those who may wish to contribute regularly can become a Friend of the English Cemetery, details of which may be found on our web site.
Organizer
Bruce McIntyre
Organizer
Málaga
