At the end of the nineteenth century, the Church of England still refused to allow the burials of stillborn or infant children who had not been baptised. This no doubt touched the lives of numerous local people and eventually led to a call for an alternative burial ground.

On the 14th May 1894 a piece of land ‘containing Fifty Poles or thereabouts' was purchased by a group of eight trustees, described as ‘a body of Protestant dissenters' known as the United Methodist Free Church, from local farmer Horatio Grose. This plot of land, purchased for the sum of Twenty Five Pounds, is what we now know as Chapel Amble Methodist Cemetery. Another local farmer, Charles Menhinick, was instrumental in securing this plot of land for use as a cemetery. He is buried in plot 009.

A press cutting from the Royal Cornwall Gazette says:

27th September 1894
A new cemetery at Amble near Wadebridge has been opened in connection with the United Methodist Free Church. For some time past the necessity of a burial ground has been felt and it is largely due to the energy of Mr. Charles Menhinick C.C. of Lower Amble who drew up and projected the scheme that it has been brought to a successful issue. The Rev. Joe Cockin was the preacher. At one o'clock a large company sat down to an excellent luncheon served in Mr. C Menhinicks barn; and following this the service of dedication was held in the new cemetery in which Revs. J.Cockin, J. Needham, F. J. Yeats, T. Waylett, W.L. Lang and Thomas Webber took part. Tea followed and in the evening Rev. J. Cockin gave to a large audience his lecture on ‘Oliver Cromwell.' The Pengelly choir rendered good service during the day under the leadership of Mr. R. Nurse. The proceeds amounted to £40.

The first person to be buried in the cemetery was Harriet Buscumb (nee Hill) who died on Friday 19th October 1894. She is buried in plot 166 some 20 yards in on the left hand side.

The piece of ground now used as a car park was not purchased until the 29th December 1959. A new group of trustees were formed to purchase this piece of land from Lottie Rebecca Hobbah for the sum of One Hundred and Twenty Five Pounds.

The Cemetery was originally looked after by the People at Amble Chapel. When this closed the responsibility passed to the Wadebridge Methodist Church. Since the dissolution of the Finance and Property Committee it was felt that a new Cemetery Committee should be formed to enable decisions regarding the running of the cemetery to be made.

The first meetings took place in May 2013, attended by Revs. Peter Smith, Nick Wood and a group of volunteers. Various matters were discussed, including the idea of an improved access for both disabled users and the machinery used in modern day grave digging, and preparations for the future when voluntary labour for all the many maintenance tasks may not be available.

It is hoped that the future of the cemetery will be in good hands as it is appreciated by many people who use it for quiet reflection.

For any inquiries please contact the Sexton on 01208 813454