Sunday 21 July 2013

Wallingford Cemetery


A change from my usual  but I thought it time I showed some photos from a cemetery that is local to me. I could not say when the cemetery was built but I would think the early 1800s after the turnpike to Shillingford was built. The main entrance is just off the road past the bends by castle meadows.





This is the main entrance to the cemetery the road on castle street




The gates that would have been here have long gone.















Hidden behind the ivy on the left side you can see this ornate gate, there is another on the other side which is open. I wonder if the main gates that were once on the pillars looked like this.

















As you walk through the gates you can see the cemetery with the older headstones












 They can be see on both sides of the drive




The words are faded on this headstone which looks shamrock shaped and has a harp it also has a matching footstone
The drive leads to these two chapels you can see on either side of the cemetery



This chapel is now used as a chapel of rest by Howard Chadwick










I can't complain as I have used Howard Chadwick on three occasions and found him the most the considerate undertaker you could meet




The twin opposite is used for services from what I can see




This view was taken through the chapel window.







 


















The obelisk is a memorial to the Payne family round base you can see the names of the family carved on the crosses on the  back you can see this inscription.
 


 Not far away is this war grave, Jonathan Fowler died 14th July 2011 seeing the date makes me sad .



















There are a couple of older war graves not far away



Some headstones are leaning over others sit under the shade of the trees





On one side of the cemetery a lot of headstones are lost in ivy



It relentlessly makes it's way up and covers the whole memorial 





Shaking hands I think the first I have seen



A upside down dove




Graves with footstones






Headstones which are so covered in ivy they look like trees








Across the way you find the new cemetery









 Which seems bigger than the old on but is now getting quite full




You can see these war graves in the new section and are from the second world war

While looking round the cemetery I came across the grave of John Gannon or Jack as he was known. He used to be the Pharmacist at Savory & Moore in Wallingford  when it was in the old shop in the Market place and when it moved across the square. When he died he left three daughters .


Leaving the new cemetery you can see the old one opposite 






Which seems more tranquil









 







Taken in more recently this is the Unconsecrated side of the cemetery
 Wider view looking to the chapel

 I think this is Grave D1 and may belong to Constance Campbell
 Have a peaceful Weekend

18 comments:

  1. Fantastic post and some really great pictures. So sad to see such a new war grave.

    Thank you for linking up with Cemetery Sunday

    Beneath Thy Feet

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Nicola, I found it sad as well though I seem to remember it being in the paper, just need to find out a bit more.

      Delete
  2. Is it wrong to say that a cemetery is lovely?

    I really like that gate too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No I don't think it is, one I want to return to is rather a lovely place

      Delete
  3. Wow --- looks like lots and lots of lovely stones and things here. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes lots and many which could be uncovered if they took off the ivy

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    2. Yes - that ivy is a little aggressive! :)

      Thanks for sharing this on Taphophile Tragics!

      Delete
  4. I have seen lots of shaking hands, but never a foot stone.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a lovely place! I especially like your photo of the road between the two chapels.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are a couple more cemterys I need to cover which I think will look different.

      Delete
  6. Thank you again Billy for these photos. It makes me feel quite sad. She's a forgotten lady. :( I have just contacted SODC to see if they can tell me anything else. I will let you know. Best wishes to you too.

    ReplyDelete
  7. A cemetery that one knows well is a meaningful place. Wishing you a peaceful weekend Bill.

    ReplyDelete
  8. That's a nice little church. is the name Payne still a local one?

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  9. Thanks for the pics! Beautiful cemetery!

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  10. Hi Billy, did you get the D1 plot reference from the chapel?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Try this adress parks@southandvale.gov.uk a lady called Louise replied to me.

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