The Whitby Celebrant

09/10/2026

08/10/2026

Where is the dignity and care in this?

⚰️ A major funeral company has secured approval to establish one of 'Britain's biggest' mortuaries, despite fierce opposition from residents who described it as a 'human conveyor belt. '.

The substantial storage facility - capable of accommodating up to 700 bodies in racks stacked five coffins high - is being developed by Pure Cremations, Britain's leading direct cremation provider.

Following approval from York Council last week, the 37,673 sq ft former telephone exchange will be transformed into a storage facility at York Business Park, in Nether Poppleton, North Yorkshire.

👀 The company, which operates a comparable facility at Knutsford, Cheshire, has stated it will serve as the firm's principal mortuary for the North East.

It will become one of the UK's largest facilities - surpassed only by temporary structures erected during Covid, which could accommodate up to 1,300 bodies.

Numerous local residents had previously opposed the proposal, labelling it as "horrific" with some likening it to a "human conveyor belt".

😔 Local funeral director Martin Rowley, 64, who operates Rowley & Sons Family Funeral Services, in York, said he is "disappointed" by the decision. He alleges the approximately 25 members of staff working at the site will be unable to provide sufficient care for the deceased.

Martin, who also serves as a Conservative councillor for the Osbaldwick and Derwent Ward, commented: "This facility just endorses the impersonal, transactional, profit driven nature of the Pure Cremations operation.

"I'm not questioning their service, rather the industrial scale of the facility. How can so few staff realistically look after so many bodies and ensure they are kept in good condition.

"If the council really cared about people and transparency, they would have brought this planning application to the Planning Committee for determination."

05/10/2026

Ever seen one of these out and about and wondered what actually happens at ANDYSMANCLUB?

When you arrive, one of our friendly facilitators will welcome you in and show you where to grab a brew and a biscuit.

The session then follows a simple 5 question format. The first three are always the same:

How’s your week been?
One positive from your week?
Anything to get off your chest?

We’ll then usually have a short break before finishing with two questions that might be funny, inspirational or thought provoking, sometimes as simple as “what’s your favourite sandwich?”

We pass a talking ball around the group so there’s never any pressure to talk. If you’re not ready, you can simply pass it on.

That’s it. No booking, no referrals and no pressure.

Just a room full of men, a brew, and a safe space to talk.

Every Monday 7-9PM (excluding bank holidays) for any man 18+ 👌

25/09/2026

Whitby’s latest bar, House of Memento Mori. ‘Remember you must die’.
As a funeral worker, it seems apt to visit.

This time next week we’ll be welcoming the good folk of Whitby and its visitors to our very first weekend! It’s been a long road to get here….
But we wouldn’t have that long road any other way we don’t think.

In January 2024 we first walked into 6 Grape Lane. Standing proud down the middle of one of the oldest streets in Old Town we saw a wealth of potential. A beautiful Grade II listed building in some desperate need of love and care - and a new lease of life.
Well the place has certainly got that now.

That was over 2 years ago. Today there’s a huge amount of work going on behind closed doors to bring you what we hope you’ll find very special.

If you follow some Yorkshire publications you may have seen things to suggest that we are hurriedly racing around and having a rethink and a desperate name change just before we open.

Well we won’t bore you with the details (life really is too short). But it’s a load of cobblers.

Whitby has its own legends and, we think, has always deserved its own place that’s as unique as we can think of and build.

Now we must get cracking. There’s plenty of work for us to do!

We hope to see you soon and if you visit us we really hope you’ll like what you find.

Have a great weekend.
Memento Vivere! 👍🤘♠️

17/09/2026

Today I am in Sheffield helping a family and friends celebrate the life of, and say goodbye to a caring woman who liked rock music.

10/09/2026

September is Su***de Prevention Month

Cc: Fightthroughmentalhealth

09/09/2026

Our new Whitby Bereavement Support Group begins tomorrow, Thursday 10th September, as part of our Wellbeing in the Community sessions.

The group will provide a welcoming and supportive space for people who are experiencing bereavement, offering an opportunity to meet others, share experiences and find support.

🕥 10.30am–12.30pm
📅 Starting Thursday 10th September
📆 Then every 2nd Thursday of the month
📍 Whitby Masonic Hall, John Street, Whitby, YO21 3ET

If you or someone you know could benefit from bereavement support, we'd love to welcome you. 💙

09/09/2026

Hello to all new followers.
If you are interested in weddings or Pagan handfasting ceremonies, please see my main page for these.

https://www.facebook.com/altceremoniesuk

Alternative Celebrant Ellie/Starr Farrell creating alternative ceremonies. Weddings, vow renewals, handfasting, funerals, celebrations of life and life event ceremonies. Goth, Pagan and alt ceremonies.

06/09/2026

A day off and still in a cemetery, and a new book purchased from the gift shop by the former home of the Bronte’s. Haworth church (St Michael’s and All Angels).

01/09/2026

The final moonlight for Whitby’s whalebones last night which are being removed this morning to be replaced soon by replicas.