Guardianship of Liverpool’s Greenspaces and the Restoration of Kitty Wilkinson’s Memorial

Of Grave Concern

At Shiverpool, our connection to St James’ Cemetery runs deep. For nearly two decades, this remarkable green sanctuary, nestled beneath the Anglican Cathedral, has been at the heart of our Hope Street and Secret Garden tours for 20 years. It is a place where stories breathe through stone, where nature softens history, and where Liverpool’s past quietly speaks to all who wander its paths.

It was with profound sadness that in recent years we witnessed signs of potentially deliberate damage to several gravestones within this Grade I listed site, Liverpool’s cherished “Great Green Lung.” During one of our Secret Garden tours, we encountered scenes of damage or desecration that struck at the very spirit of this sacred space. Among the affected memorials was that of Kitty Wilkinson, a pioneering woman whose legacy is woven into the social fabric of the city.

Known as the “Saint of the Slums” and the “Widow’s Friend,” Kitty Wilkinson was an Irish immigrant who changed lives through compassion and action. In 1842, she established the country’s first public wash house, offering dignity and hygiene to thousands during times of hardship and disease. Her contribution to public health and social care remains extraordinary, and her resting place deserves equal respect.

The damage to Kitty Wilkinson’s memorial, alongside vandalism to sites such as the William Huskisson mausoleum, raised serious concerns about the preservation of our shared heritage. These were not isolated incidents but part of a troubling pattern that risked eroding the integrity of a place that holds the stories of generations.

However, from this moment of distress emerged community action.

Following Shiverpool’s reporting of the damage, public awareness grew rapidly. Outrage turned into purpose. On a cold December morning, a small group of individuals, many of whom had never met, gathered beside Kitty’s fallen memorial. Brought together through a shared sense of responsibility, they began not only to reflect on the loss but to actively participate in its restoration.

This gathering, organised with the support of community advocates and heritage volunteers including Shiverpool, became a turning point. It reignited conversations around guardianship, stewardship, and the role we all play in protecting spaces like St James’ Cemetery. Relationships were formed, ideas were exchanged, and a renewed commitment to care for the cemetery began to take shape. We now have a new board for The Friends of St James’ Garden charity including a Shiverpool representative.

At Shiverpool, this ethos of community guardianship is central to what we do. Our tours are not simply about storytelling, they are about connection. We encourage visitors to see beyond the surface, to understand the lives behind the names, and to appreciate the delicate balance between history and the present day.

St James’ Cemetery is more than a resting place. It is a living environment, home to wildlife, ancient trees, natural springs, and a layered human history that reflects both triumph and tragedy. Protecting it requires not only institutional support but collective care.

Today, we are heartened to share that Kitty Wilkinson’s memorial has been restored. This act of repair is more than a physical reconstruction, it is a symbol of what can be achieved when a community comes together with purpose and respect.

Yet, the work does not end here.

The future of our cemeteries and green spaces depends on continued vigilance, education, and compassion. These are places where we honour those who came before us, where we confront our shared histories, and where we find moments of peace in an ever-changing city.

At Shiverpool, we remain committed to championing these spaces, not only through our tours but through active participation in their care and preservation. We invite all who visit St James’ Cemetery to walk gently, look closely, and remember that every stone tells a story.

Together, through community guardianship, we can ensure that the legacy of figures like Kitty Wilkinson, and the countless others who rest within this sacred ground, endures for generations to come.