Golders Green Crematorium

1 October 2012

This weekend September 30th  2012 celebrated the 65th birthday of Marc Bolan. Fans and family of Marc Bolan visited Golder’s Green crematorium to pay tribute and decorate the new bench that now sits opposite Marc Bolan’s resting place. It is a beautifully carved and awesome tribute to him. A carved swan takes pride on the back of the bench and the arm rests boast two carved Unicorns. Some of his family decorated the hedge with balloons, a baby photo of Marc and Boa’s. There were many visitor’s during the day from 11.30 onwards including some relatives. Marc Bolan died on the 16th September 1977 , two weeks before his 30th birthday.  A girl named Crystal came all the way that day  from her country  to meet up with someone but they didn't turn up for the second time. so other fans kept her company and shared stories. It turned out to be a lovely day for her despite her original let down. The Bolan fans are quite a community it would seem, a sort of family. Worth a visit and the bench is a great tribute.

As far as crematoria go, this isn’t so depressing. Yes, it has a seriously drab building with sombre chapels. Nevertheless, the surrounds are beautiful, there is easy access and free on-street parking (there may be some restrictions).

This is London’s first crematorium and was built in 1902. Apparently Golders Green was know to be “the place” where famous names from the arts and media chose to be cremated or buried.

There have been 300,000 cremations here which is more than any other crematorium in Britain.

When you enter the first thing you see are the walls covered in memorials which take up every available space. They are quite interesting to read with quite a few famous names.

Famous names to look out from the showbiz world for include Peter Sellers, Keith Moon, Joyce Grenfell and Marc Bolan.

It is also the resting place of several authors, musicians and Anna Pavlova the famous ballerina.

It covers 12 acres and is a very peaceful relaxing place to visit. There is a lot of wildlife including squirrels, foxes, rabbits and loads of birds. I actually saw a woodpecker for the first time there.

Over the road is the Golders Green Jewish Cemetery which is also well worth a visit.

Do you have to pay to get in? Can you help me please. O and do you have to book? Thanks

It’s a calm and quiet place to visit - and open if you just want to wander round. I was actually taken here on a first date as a teenager. No jokes. And I wasn’t even a goth. But interesting to visit nonetheless. Downside is they don’t seem to chimney the smoke very well - meaning that people will encounter a lovely strong burning smell as they pass by at most times of the day.