[Romantic Old Bird]

I posted this earlier as an enormous image. let's see if my friend Sticks has sorted it for me now.

This is Verdun in France

[Sticks]

Just across the road from me is Westgate Cemetary. I suspect it has fallen into disuse, as I have never seen any new buriels and the graves seem to be in a poor condition.

[Sticks]

Reposting this image:

Originally posted by Sticks
OK The next image is of a very old cemetary on the island of Lundy, (located in the Bristol channel) It is on Beacon Hill near the site of a church long gone.

The current church on the island, St Helena was build nearer the village in 1896

For more information about Lundy Island click on this link

When I stayed on Lundy Island I was staying in Old Light Cottage



Which is in the same compound of the Old Light

[splodge0]

The way I feel at the moment I shall join you on your quest for misery...............

[Sticks]

Well they say misery loves company

Meanwhile a repost of the church yard of St Mary's, Brandesburton in East Riding of Yorkshire, near where my parents live

[Sticks]

Just passing through and I thought I would ressurect this thread

From my recent trip to Yorkshire.

It is from a church in Hornsea

Perhaps we can have a new batch of these pictures

[Sticks]

I have now produced a 360 degree panorama of the church yard at St Paul's church at Whitley Bay

See this link

Enjoy

[BusyBee]

I know this sounds silly, but I love visiting cemetaries - love reading the inscriptions. Last time we had my boss's executive seats for Chelsea we walked through the nearby cemetary which was full of squirrels jumping around, but we nearly didnt get to the match cos I kept stopping to read the headstones

[Amy]

Originally posted by BusyBee
I know this sounds silly, but I love visiting cemetaries - love reading the inscriptions. Last time we had my boss's executive seats for Chelsea we walked through the nearby cemetary which was full of squirrels jumping around, but we nearly didnt get to the match cos I kept stopping to read the headstones

[AndyJK]

I've lived not just off the back of a cemetery, but 50 odd yards from the graves of The Kray family for the nearly fifteen years. The cemetery is in Chingford and I live at Aldborough Court which is along Chingford Ave. When I walk through, I always walk past the plot on my way to the other exit which has a downhill path that leads to Harold Road.

I remember the day Ronnie Kray died well. On my way back from work, I stopped off at petrol station near Chelmsford to refuel. As I walked in to pay the guy behind the counter had the radio on with news reporters discussing the funeral procession (which at the time was still in Bethnal Green somewhere). I said to him, as I handed over my money: "I live right next to the Krays grave". He looked at me if I just landed from Mars and probably thought I was some kind of maniac and replied with a sort of "yeah alright mate" and hurried on to deal with the next customer. But it's all true.

The cemetery is a prominent feature of Chingford. It's huge in size and said to be haunted by a hand (although I've never seen it). As a kid I've been in there at night and it's quite scary. Some of the oldest grave stones go back to the early 1800s, half-hidden in the earth, sunk over time. It's very tranquil, well pathed and nice to walk in the good weather as you gaze around the vast number of grave stones and huge trees that tower above.


.

[AndyJK]

Sorry I don't know how to attach files and not sure if the link is working.

[Sticks]

I have now done a short movie of the cemetery across the road

It is on this link

Although the file size is about 4.7MB, the file format is a .wmv file which is meant to be streaming audio / video

Can you let me know if it is working as I seem to be having some issues with this ISP and my brother was unable to view it.

BTW If it does not appear to load at first please trying a refresh.

[Sticks]

Shameless further bumping of this thread.

My musical film about the cemetery next door

Let me know what you think

[Romantic Old Bird]

Sticks, you are, without doubt, completely parless. I needed no further proof of this. Thankyou for sharing your little film with us though.

It strikes me that the problem we see on it is principally one of vandalism. The graves are not horribly overgrown, and obviously the places where the ivy has taken over are the graves of those long gone who have few if any living relatives to tend them.

I am inclined to think that the land on very old cemeteries would be well used either as:

1. Parkland - where the gravestones are plastered safely against the walls as in my hometown, and in between are beautiful trees and flowers and benches. Full of life yet still peaceful

or

2. Recycled as in OH's home country of Holland. The ever practical Dutch are very short of land so after ten years, burials are exhumed and cremated. That way the bereaved can mourn initially at a grave if they wish, but not need to worry about upkeep as they become old and infirm.
Not surprisingly, most opt for immediate cremation.

I have a great deal of respect for those who mourn and find cemeteries peaceful and thoughtful places, but this world is for those of us who are still living, albeit briefly, and for those to come.

[Romantic Old Bird]

Actually, all this talk of cemeteries has reminded of me of something pretty impressive I saw on my hols in Italia this year...............

These tombs are at least 2000 years old. as they are at Pompei. I was really struck as to how similar they are to Victorian monuments, and of course, nothing like a few million tons of Volcanic ash and some burly security guards to keep them safe.

[peachy]

Thanks for sharing your film, Sticks. Although I must admit I did feel a bit like cutting my throat after watching it. I do however appreciate your sentiments and think you are right in thinking that the dead deserve more respect than this.

You are indeed a true original....all good wishes and keep caring about things

[AndyJK]

It's sad to see graves being desecrated in such a way. Just looking at your film its clearly apparent that the cemetery isn't secure enough to prevent people from entering and I suspect the kids living in the high-rise tower blocks looming overhead are to blame for the vandalism while using it as a playground. The local council should do more about it, but unless someone kicks up a fuss about it, they'll put it aside.

Your concern for this issue where a lot of people would be apathetic towards should be commended.

[Sticks]

I e-mailed the link to the section that looks after cemeteries. They said they were not responsible for this one and just forwarded my e-mail to Leisure services of all places.

I have not heard from them, which is what I have told my MP, as I copied him the link as well.

[BusyBee]

Just to let you know your area isnt the only one Sticks that has this problem. One of our local cemeteries has had vandalism whereby children's graves were targeted. It was heartbreaking for the parents as many of the graves belonged to the children who had been involved in the Bristol heart scandal a few years ago. They were beautifully kept and the headstones had graffiti on them or were damaged beyond repair. The worst thing was that it was found to be young kids, below the age of responsibility who had done it for a laugh as they said and because they were bored. Is this a reflection of society today, I hope not.

[Sticks]

Just in case any of you are near Harrogate This link might be of interest

[cc100]

sticks....am I missing something?

Isnt it a bit, y'know, morbid?

[Sticks]

A lot of humour revolves around death - one of the great ironies of life

[cc100]

So are you laughing around peoples graves?

Is it OK to be jolly with regars deaths that have occured a long time past?

I guess its the same as laughing at bizarre deaths on the other side of the world.

[Sticks]

People do not wish to discuss it, so various humour arises and we give it names such as "gallows humour" or "Famous last words"

The Darwin Awards are just a more recent development of this.

[cc100]

Is birth just as funny?

How about a 'Maternity Wards Ive known' thread?