Newport Funeral hom urges residents to get involved in social history project.
A Newport funeral home is marking its 150th anniversary by releasing a book, detailing its rich history as one of Newport's oldest family businesses and is urging local people to get involved.
Tovey Bros funeral directors opened in 1860 on Newport's Dock Street and is currently owned and managed by Humphrey Tovey along with his son James Tovey. The company, which has helped local families for six generations, is to launch a book this autumn and is encouraging the local community to get involved with the proejct and share their own stories.
James Tovey said: "With such a long tradition in Newport, it seemed lik our 150th anniversary was the right time to embark on a social history project to find out more about our company's origins and its place in Newport's history. Local history student Tim Gray is currently helping us collate research which covers everything from notable Newport funerals to Tovey Bros' involvement in repatriation during both World Wars.
"Tovey Bros is a local business that is heavily involved with the community and as you can imagine there have been many changes in traditions, customs and technology meaning there is plenty of scope for an interesting look at Newport's past."
The book will be aimed at anyone who is interested in finding out more about local history from the perspective of one of its older companies. Tovey Bros is currently looking for people to share any interesting information, photographs, documents they may have about Tovey Bros history, especially dating back from the late 19th centry and early 20th century.
If you have any information or stories to share, please get in touch with James Tovey at Tovey Bros on 01633 266 848 or email info@toveybros.co.uk
Open Day 18th September 2010
We will be holding an open day at our funeral home. As well as an historic exhibition depicting funeral customs, past and present, this will give people the chance to meet our staff, have a look at our premises and to ask any questions they may have about what happens when someone dies. We hope inviting people into the home will remove many of the unknown elements associated with a death and so lessen the fear that many people have concerning bereavement and what to do. The day is open to the public and professionals.
Newport funeral home marks 150th milestone
A Newport funeral directors has commemorated 150 years in business with a rededication ceremony of the service chapel at its funeral home.
Tovey Bros, a family-run funeral directors which has served families in the Newport area
since 1860, opted for the religious ceremony to mark its extraordinary landmark and
celebrate the business being handed down through six generations of the same family.
The company is currently run by James Tovey, the great great great grandson of the
founder alongside his father Humphrey.
The rededication service, which is a blessing of the chapel to mark its continued use as a
place of worship, was carried out by The Right Reverend Dominic Walker, Bishop of
Monmouth. Assisting him was Reverend Father Brian Cuddihy and Reverend Shem
Morgan. Also in attendance were special guests including the president of Society of Allied
Independent Funeral Directors, Jim Parker, and the vice president of the National
Association of Funeral Directors, Andrew Pargetter.
James Tovey, said: “A rededication ceremony is not compulsory but most funeral homes
choose to hold one after key milestones such as a renovation, moving to a new premises
or in our case, a significant anniversary. The ceremony represents a renewed purpose for
the chapel, which holds many services and provides sanctuary for the family before a
funeral. It can be a source of comfort for families to know that the building has been
blessed.
“The ceremony was also a great opportunity to thank our staff, friends and family for all the support they have shown over the years. Although we have been in business for 150 years our founding ethos has remained intact. We are compassionate and empathetic and I believe that is why we have been trusted by local families for six generations.”
Tovey Bros appoints new funeral director
Tovey Bros has seen its business continue to grow this year. As a result, it has become necessary for us to add to our staff in order to continue to provide our desired service quality. Tovey Bros is therefore delighted to announce the appointment of a new funeral director, David O'Connell, and welcome him to our team. "David is an experienced funeral director from Newport with a lot of local knowledge and we are extremely pleased to have been able to secure his services for our business," said James. Tovey.
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Tovey Bros. attends Usk Show
SURPRISE IN STORE AT THE SHOWS
Three eye-catching coffin designs were recently on display at the Native Woodland stand at
Usk Show and the Vale of Glamorgan Show. Causing quite a stir amongst the thousands
of visitors to these mainly agricultural Shows, this was an informative and less traditional
way of highlighting choices that people have when it comes to organising funeral plans.
Native Woodland, the natural burial ground specialists with five sites across the UK, took a
stand at both regional shows in order to spread the word about its two outstanding
locations in south Wales. Usk Castle Chase can be found in the small rural town of Usk in
Monmouthshire while the Grade II listed parkland ground at Cardiff & The Vale is situated
to the west of the city at Culverhouse Cross. At these natural burial grounds there is a
choice of traditional burial or interment or scattering of ashes.
James Leedam of Native Woodland was enthusiastic about the response to the stand:
"Although some visitors were a little apprehensive at first, finding it unusual to see coffins
at a Show, the informal atmosphere put them at ease. They definitely found it a useful
chance to see the products close up and ask lots of questions. Most took leaflets and product
details away with them to read during a quieter moment and one hundred lucky visitors left
with a silver birch sapling, donated by funeral plan experts, Golden Charter."
Also helping on the stand at Usk Show was James Tovey of Newport based funeral
directors, Tovey Bros. He agreed that it had been a successful and enjoyable event: "Usk
Castle Chase won the 2008 award for Best Green Burial Ground in the UK and we are
pleased to be involved with this ecologically sound burial meadow. We listen to the families
who come to us and offer those who love the countryside and who wish to make minimal
environmental impact when they die advice about a natural burial ground as an alternative
choice."
Included in the display was a fine, hand-woven willow coffin from The Somerset Willow
Company, a beautifully crafted Ecopod coffin finished in a blue with white doves, and a
plaited water-hyacinth casket from Daisy Coffins Ltd, that the visitors found intriguing
when trying to identify what material is was made from.
For further information please view our website at www.nativewoodland.co.uk
or contact
James Leedam on 01600 716438.
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Tovey Bros & Hold out a Hand Bereavememnt support
Folloiwng the successful pilot of a bereavement support "drop-in" scheme. Tovey Bros & Hold Out A Hand are continuing with theme-based evenings on the second Thursday of each month.
Further dates:
| 10th June 2010 | Coping with special occasions |
If you are hurting and struggling with your loss whether it was recent or some time ago, come and meet others, share your experience, and find help.
Trained bereavement counsellors & befrienders, and informtion on practical & emtional support will be available.
Venue: Marenghi's Italian Coffee Shop
434 Chepstow Road, Newport NP19 8JG
(opposite Beechwood Park)
Call in at any time between 7pm and 9m
a short DVD will be shown at 7.30pm
Marenghi's is run by Hold our a Hand, a bereavement support charity
For further information please contact:
Mike Coombes - Hold Out a Hand (01633 250118 www.holdoutahand.co.uk
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Golden Charter Funeral Planner of the Year 2009
Tovey Bros Funeral Directors, named Golden Charter Funeral Planner of the Year for South West England & South Wales.
Golden Charter, Britain's leading independent funeral plan provider, has awarded Tovey Bros Funeral Directors, the South West England & South Wales' Funeral Planner of the Year Regional Award for its dedication and commitment in providing an outstanding service to the community.
James Tovey travelled to Sutton Scotney, near Winchester to accept the silver salver and certificate from Golden Charter's Managing Director Ronnie Wayte and National Sales Manager Richard Auchincloss at the award ceremony at the Norton Park Hotel.
In addition to the silver salver and framed certificate from Golden Charter, the Woodland Trust has dedicated a stand of trees in Tovey Bros Funeral Directors name at Pen-y-Turnpike Wood, Vale of Glamorgan in recognition their achievement.
Tovey Bros Funeral Directors was judged as a regional winner from over 1,400 other funeral businesses who exclusively offer Golden Charter funeral plans, the largest funeral-planning network in the UK.
On receiving his award, James Tovey said "I am absolutely delighted to receive this award. It's just like winning an Oscar. The award pays tribute to all the hard work put into the business by my family and the dedication and professionalism of the staff."
Ronnie Wayte commented. "This is the 16th year of the awards, and each year it becomes more difficult to choose a winner. Through these awards Golden Charter has been able to recognise personal excellence and professional commitment in one of the most difficult and challenging areas of serving the public."
"'Tovey Bros Funeral Directors and their staff have set the standard for this and following years, and we are delighted to recognise this achievement."
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The Mayor of Newport attends
National Bereavement Awareness Open Day
Saturday 8th November 2008
On Saturday members of the public and bereavement professionals took the opportunity to attend an open day at Tovey Bros funeral home as part of SAIF National Bereavement Day.
Humphrey and James Tovey together with colleagues were also pleased to welcome The Right Worshipful The Mayor of Newport, Councillor Noel F Trigg, who toured the premises and chatted with fellow attendees. Questions were asked about various types of funerals and about Golden Charter Funeral Plans.
James Leedam from Native Woodland - Natural Burial Sites displayed an interesting slide show on both traditional and alternative funerals.
Advice was also given by Mike Coombes from Hold out a Hand Bereavement Support, Caroline Herbert of E J Herbert & Son Monumental Sculptors and Catherine Corless of Lovingly Managed Bereavement Coordinators.
James Tovey explained that it was ‘an excellent way to discuss funeral options and answer questions at a time when not facing a bereavement’.
National Bereavement Awareness Open Day
Saturday 8th November 2008
On Saturday 8th November 2008, independent funeral directors across the UK will be throwing open their doors to the public for SAIF’s (Society of Allied Independent Funeral Directors) National Bereavement Awareness Open Day. As Gwent’s largest independent funeral directors, Tovey Bros is delighted to be taking part and is looking forward to welcoming everyone – from bereavement professionals to members of the public – to our premises to find out more about funerals, our role and a range of other services associated with funeral planning and the grieving process.
‘Usually, people never set foot over the threshold of a funeral director’s until they absolutely have to,‘ commented James Tovey.‘If people can visit, at a time when they’re not in imminent need of our services, to look around and learn more about what we do and what else is on offer from other professionals associated with bereavement, SAIF’s belief, and I’m in complete agreement with this, is that people won’t feel so overwhelmed and out of their depth when it comes to coping with an actual bereavement.
‘So if you feel that knowing more about funerals and funeral planning would be of benefit to you then why not join us? 
You’ll have the opportunity to put your questions to Tovey Bros staff, have a tour round our funeral home including our reception rooms and chapel,view a range of coffins and observe our on-site carpenter crafting a traditional solid wood coffin, find out more about monumental masonry services
,meet representatives from a variety of support organisations and other companies involved in providing services at the time of a bereavement and finally, access information about the increasingly popular natural burial option and other types of alternative funerals.
- Venue: Tovey Bros, 9-11 Cardiff Road, Newport NP20 2EH
- For guidance on how to reach us visit maps & directions
- Doors open at 10.00am and close at 2.00pm.
- Free tea and coffee
- Ample car parking at the funeral home
We look forward to welcoming you to Tovey Bros.
SPONSORED WALK - 19th July 2008
The family and friends of the late Margaret Tovey 
recently completed an arduous 19 mile stretch of the Cornish Coastal Path to commemorate what would have been her 70th birthday.
The sponsored walk from Cape Cornwall to Mousehole passed such famous landmarks as Land's End and the Minack Theatre, with 15 participants ranging in age from 14 to 74.
The walk was in aid of the Archbishop of Wales' Fund for Children, helping disadvantaged 
children and their families throughout Wales, a charity which was actively supported by Margaret. The family would like to thank family, friends and local businesses for their generosity, as well as local organisations such as the Newport committee of AWFC, The Rotary Club of Caerleon, The Inner Wheel Club of Newport, Magor Churchmen's Society and Holy Trinity Women's Group.
Everyone's generosity has meant that the total raised recently passed £10,000, with donations still arriving.
The Cornish people were extremely receptive to the walkers and money was donated by several
passers by. When they arrived at Lamorna Cove, in the heat of the afternoon, the local cafe
generously gave all participants a free ice cream. The Ship Inn at Mousehole kindly discounted the cost of the post walk meal.
James Tovey, son of Margaret, said 'It was a tough day with constant walking from 6.30 am to 4 pm but the camaraderie carried us all through to the finish. There were a few funny incidents 
including my cousin Will managing to lock his walking boots inside the room where he was staying, with no way of re entering at 5.30 a m. He had to complete the first half of the walk in a pair of trainers which were a size too small! We are extremely grateful to those who participated in the walk and to everyone for their kind sponsorship. We are overwhelmed by the total raised, which is a fitting tribute.'
Good Funerals Open Day - 7 June 2008
A friendly welcome and summer sunshine greeted curious visitors to the Good Funerals Open Day on Saturday 7th June at Usk Castle Chase natural burial ground. The site, normally a place for contemplative solitude, was busy with people visiting marquee stands that offered a wide range of funereal items including an amazing range of traditional, wicker, alternative and modern coffins, hand crafted stone memorials, doves for memorial release, the vintage lorry hearse - also Golden Charter Funeral Plans. They took the opportunity to browse and talk directly in an informal environment to staff from several hospices, Gwent Crematorium, Summerleaze Pet Crematorium, local bereavement support organisations and to local clergy.
The Open Day, organised by Newport-based Tovey Bros funeral directors and natural burial ground specialists, Native Woodland, gave visitors the chance to find out about the cost of different styles of funeral, types of ceremonies, including religious and non-religious services, and transport they may choose. Pasture Farm's four gleaming black stallions caparisoned with black head-plumes pulling an Edwardian glass hearse was a dramatic eye-catching sight for people in the town who enjoyed the spectacle of a procession of traditional and alternative funeral vehicles through the Monmouthshire town.
Key to the success of the day was the great diversity of exhibitors, and the good-heartedness and warm ambience of all involved. Peter Rock of Arka Ecopods, a beautifully organically shaped pod-style casket made from recycled paper, remarked that he enjoyed meeting many people on the day saying; "This event has been the best of its kind that I have attended. There has been such a relaxed and friendly atmosphere."
One visitor from Risca, was so enthused about the burial ground that she immediately enquired about reserving a plot. She said of the event; "A brilliant day, everyone was enjoying themselves, it was really marvellous". Most visitors commented that the Open Day was positively enlightening, allowing them to discuss the sombre subject of funerals an uplifting way.