Cardiff United Synagogue Ely Cemetery, 2018.

Image credit JHASW.

As Highfield Road cemetery was filling up, the orthodox community needed a new cemetery. An AGM of the Cardiff United Synagogue on Sunday 6 May 1962 agreed to negotiate the purchase of land at the Western Cemetery, Ely, “available to the community for purchase, freehold, at a figure of £5,250, subject to the erection of suitable type of fencing and of a Prayer House and Preparation Room, toilets and a small storeroom, all of which buildings must be adjacent and conform in design with corporation requirements”. 

 

 

But it was not until 8 September 1968 that the New Cemetery and Prayer House were consecrated. 2.41 acres of land on Greenfarm Road, Ely, had been purchased, through the efforts of the late Harry Sherman, who arranged payment in twenty instalments. By this time the cost was estimated to be £12,500 - £15,000, and an appeal was made for donations. As is customary, the first burial was made up of religious books and equipment that were no longer needed. The cemetery has a separate gate and entrance from the civic cemetery in Ely, which contains the Reform cemetery. 

 

The first burial was in 1968 and around 875 people had been buried by May 2020. 

 

On 29 November 1992, a protest was held outside the Western Cemetery against the desecration of a great number of headstones in both the Orthodox and Reform cemeteries, which were daubed with a Nazi swastika and other graffiti. 300 people of various denominations and organisations attended, including members of the Cardiff City Council, to express their disgust and offer sympathy. Very few Jewish members of the local community were present. They were told to keep a low profile and were asked at Sabbath services not to support the protest as it was organised by the Anti-Nazi League, who were classed as anti-Zionists.