THE final resting place of Hannah Hauxwell, the solitary dale farmer who found TV fame, is to get a spruce up thanks to a new scheme.
Paths are to reinstated, dangerous trees removed and broken fencing repaired at Romaldkirk Cemetery through Durham County Council’s Find and Fix project, which aims to tackle a range of unsightly issues such as graffiti, chewing gum or clearing pathways.
Hannah Hauxwell, who sprang to fame at home and abroad after appearing in several BBC documentaries about how she eked out a meagre living in Baldersdale without such comforts as electricity or running water, was buried at Romaldkirk Cemetery after her death on January 30, 2018, aged 91.
Her unique memorial – a large boulder – stands out among the other more traditional gravestones and has become a visitor attraction.
County councillor for Romaldkirk Cllr Ted Henderson said he was pleased the cemetery is among the first sites to benefit from the Find and Fix scheme.
He said: “It is very important because a lot of people come to see this memorial and when they come we want them to see a nice, safe environment.”
Julie Norman and Ron Spark, regular visitors from Durham City, visited Ms Hauxwell’s grave on Friday last week after unsuccessfully trying to find it on previous occasions.
The couple are admirers of Ms Hauxwell and have previously visited such sites as Hannah’s Meadow in their trails across the dale
Mr Spark said: “We have been to the church about three times before Covid.
“This time there was a handwritten notice in the church to say it is in the cemetery and not in the churchyard. We only noticed it today by chance.
“It is a shame it is not more known.”
The Find and Fix scheme works by county officers and communities working together to identify areas that need attention.
Work will differ depending on the needs of each area but the teams will be able to proactively assist with a wide range of activities.
These include cleaning road channels, gullies and weeding; de-greasing pavements and removing chewing gum; removing graffiti; painting seating, benches, bollards and railings; sweeping areas where machinery can’t reach; and repairing boundary walls and sculptures.
Teams can also prune trees causing safety concerns on roads, verges or pavements, tidy up areas in need and educate businesses on responsible waste management.
Oliver Sherratt, Durham County Council’s head of environment, said: “We have four Find and Fix teams who are ready to work across the county, helping to proactively address issues raised by residents and work with them to make their communities cleaner.
“They will also be seeking out these small-scale projects through knowledge of their own area.
“Each team comprises three people who will adhere to the current social distancing regulations,” he added.
“However, once the scheme is more established, they will be supported by apprentices and trainees as we look to work with residents and grow Find and Fix to continue to ensure that County Durham is a great place to live, work and visit.”
