Safety in St Giles Hill Graveyard.
St Giles Hill Graveyard is a wonderful and interesting open space that hopefully can be enjoyed by all. However, visitor to St Giles Hill should be aware of the possible safety hazards.
A summary of the main risks is given below:
- Injury by low level tree branches
- Injury by falling branches particularly in windy conditions
- Tripping on stone grave surrounds partly hidden by grass
- Tripping by large roots and old stumps.
- Cuts from bottles or broken glass
- Injury from falling monuments or collapsed walls – do not lean on them.
- slippery paths especially after periods of heavy rain
- hidden dangers such as rat urine on stonework, weeds, and grasses
- Injury by hypodermics or drug equipment discarded in the area
Children should always be accompanied by an adult and not be allowed to climb on wall, trees, or monuments.
In the past few years, Friends of St Giles Hill Graveyard (FSGHG) have done much work to reduce the possible risk of injury from these hazards. A large quantity of glass was removed from the graveyard as well as other hazardous materials such as a twin tube washing machine. We have also removed many trip hazards, including more than 300 stumps of dead shrubs, and created dedicated paths.
The above list of potential hazards is based on the FSGHG annual risk assessment carried out to protect our volunteers working in the graveyard. Whilst FSGHG endeavours to create a safe environment, we take no responsibility for the maintenance of the perimeter walls, grave monuments, or trees within the graveyard. These are the responsibility of the landowner or grave plot owners.
In the event of as emergency the following Information will be needed:
Location: St Giles Hill Graveyard, Alresford Road, Winchester, SO23 0HG
Grid Ref: SU 49094 29441.
What3words location: https://what3words.com/aquatic.reshaping.tickles
Access: Through double iron gates from Alresford Road at grid ref: SU 49094 29441. 4×4 vehicle access only onto the site.
Nearest A&E: Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester. Contact phone No: 01962 863535
