Trustee vacancy
April 27, 2026
Arnos Vale Cemetery has been awarded £3,179 through Great Western Railway’s (GWR) Customer and Community Improvement Fund to research and share the stories of people connected to the Great Western Railway who are buried at the historic cemetery.
The project will explore the lives of GWR directors, engineers, entrepreneurs, station staff and railway workers, revealing how they helped shape Bristol’s transport network and the city’s wider history. Visitors will be able to discover these stories through a new self-guided Railway Heritage Trail on the Bloomberg Connects app, free guided walks, public talks and online biographies.
Among those already known are James Gibbs (1790–1853), a Director of the Great Western Railway; Ellen Jefferies (1837–1917), a pioneering female entrepreneur who ran tea rooms at Bristol Temple Meads; and Rowland Brotherhood (1812–1883), an engineer who worked on several local railway projects under Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s direction. They represent just a small number of the many railway-related stories waiting to be uncovered at Arnos Vale.
Arnos Vale Cemetery receives around half a million visitors each year. While the historic monuments and memorials across the site contain a wealth of information, the scale of the cemetery means many fascinating stories remain undiscovered. This project will help visitors better understand Bristol’s railway heritage and connect with the people whose work contributed to the development of the railway.
Janine Marriott, Public Engagement Manager at Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust, said:
“Arnos Vale Cemetery is full of remarkable stories, but many remain hidden in plain sight. This funding gives us the opportunity to uncover the people behind Bristol’s railway history and share their lives in ways that are engaging and accessible.“We’re particularly excited to involve volunteers and the local community in the research. By working together, we’ll not only discover more about the people buried here but also create new ways for visitors to connect with Bristol’s rich railway heritage.”
GWR Senior Community Impact Manager, Emma Morris, said:
“Our Customer and Community Improvement Fund is a superb programme that allows us to invest locally in projects that have a positive and meaningful impact for our customers and our communities.“The funded projects celebrate the positive impact the railway brings to local areas across our network; connecting people, creating jobs, and supporting the growth and prosperity of the communities we serve.“We’re delighted to support this initiative at Arnos Vale Cemetery, helping to uncover and share the stories of the people whose lives were connected to the railway and preserving this important part of Bristol’s history for future generations.”
Have you go family connections to share?
As part of the project, Arnos Vale is inviting members of the public to get involved. Anyone with a family connection to the Great Western Railway, information about someone buried at Arnos Vale who worked on the railway, or photographs, memories or documents to share is encouraged to get in touch. The Trust is also looking for volunteers who are interested in helping to research and record these fascinating stories. If you would like to contribute or get involved, please contact Arnos Vale Cemetery at info@arnosvale.org.uk.
First Great Western Limited, trading as Great Western Railway (GWR), operates train services across the Great Western franchise area, including South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, southern England and London.
GWR provides high-speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services, helping millions of passengers travel each year. Through its Customer and Community Improvement Fund, GWR supports schools, colleges, councils, community groups and other not-for-profit organisations by funding projects that have a connection to the railway and deliver positive benefits for local communities.
