It's been suggested to me as a member and volunteer of the General Cemetery that I do a walk, or rather tour, of the site, giving information on the history, restoration and residents. This is really to see if people would prefer the Saturday or Sunday. I'll confirm details nearer the time.

This would be an ideal walk for the people who just want to break the ice if they haven't before, or want a more relaxing stroll. Please speak up if that's you!

I look forward to hearing from you all... :)

Either day would be great for me if it was a morning walk. If it was afternoon then I could only do Sunday.

Its a great idea by the way, I sit in my office looking at the cemetary every day but have only been in a few times and have never had a proper tour round.

If it's Saturday I'd need to be finished for 12 (sorry) but if it's Sunday I'm ok for either morning or afternoon, thank you!

Ooo, I'd like to come along to this! Either day is fine for me :)

This sounds bizarre ! Not heard of this before... is this cemetery in use at the moment or is it an old one ? Would it be frowned upon if I brought my camera [I see dead people !]? Is it near a tram stop ?

Am free saturday and sunday by the way :)

Just looked up the General Cemetery on Multimap - it's the one just off of Stalker Lees Road, right? I didn't make the connection when I saw this thread earlier, but my maternal great-grand parents are buried in there (they lived on Denham Road). I have been for a wander around there before, but I'm looking forward to a guided tour even more now! :clap:

This sounds bizarre ! Not heard of this before... is this cemetery in use at the moment or is it an old one ? Would it be frowned upon if I brought my camera [I see dead people !]? Is it near a tram stop ?

Am free saturday and sunday by the way :)

Granville Road is probably the nearest stop - but not that near, mind you walked 13 miles a bit ago I'm sure you could manage.

This sounds bizarre ! Not heard of this before... is this cemetery in use at the moment or is it an old one ? Would it be frowned upon if I brought my camera [I see dead people !]? Is it near a tram stop ?

Am free saturday and sunday by the way :)

Not at all frowned upon to bring your camera, Grissom. I know some people can be a bit freaked out at this sort of thing, but there's no need to be. The cemetery took its last burial in 1978, though most of its business was before the second world war, and largely during the Victorian years. You needn't feel worried about seeming 'irreverent' at all - I'll show you why when we are there! It has several listed architectural structures and monuments, is of interesting social historical importance, and as a semi-wild site is a beautiful landscape and a nature reserve to boot. Many people just use the cemetery like a park. The council bulldozed half of it a quarter-century ago, so nothing comes close to sacrilege compared to that!

As regards tram stops, you may find it easier to get the tram into the city centre then get an 81, 82, 87 or 88 along Ecclesall Road, to the stop before Tesco, then taking the turning for Cemetery Avenue.

The meeting place will be the gatehouse at the end of Cemetery Avenue. That's the building with an archway in it, over the River Porter. Time and day to be confirmed later. :)

Me please!! Heard about this last night, so I nearly missed it. :rolleyes:

As there seems to be a lot of interest in Purdyamos' General Cemetery tour, does anyone fancy combining this with a not-too strenous walk? My only stipulation is that it must feature a tea-shop at some point along the route!

Any suggestions for a destination?

Well its not too big a step from the Cemetary to Endcliffe Park which is always good for a stroll

That sounds a very good idea. Though I don't know how the coolsters who run the refreshment places along Ecclesall Road would like to be called 'tea shops'! Their street cred might get bruised. :hihi:

Pah! I laugh in the face of coolness. Obviously.;)

Put me down too! Not sure it's Mr Strix's cup of tea, so he can probably do a walk with The Hound, whilst I come with you guys :)

Thanx 4 all the info Purdyamos ! Sounds like a fab place to go at night :P

Sounds like a fab place to go at night :P

You'd not believe the shenanigans we've had in that place - especially at night! We've had everything from satanists to graverobbers to homeless to law students doing grafitti (!) to nicking the lead off the roof! Mick the resident warden has been specially commended by the police because since he moved in and started his patrols (even at 3 in the morning) there have been 90 arrests! Although saying that might make it sound like it's full of criminals, and it's really not. :)

There's more information HERE (http://www.gencem.org/). If afraid the website needs some surgery as it's a bit rusty and out of date. It also looks splendid on Google Earth.

It looks like the best bet for a tour is Sunday afternoon. Is 1pm OK for folks? I mentioned the meeting place is at the gatehouse off Cemetery Avenue, over the Porter. I'll keep leaking info at you over the next few days, as I'll forget half of it on the tour itself!

The Sunday would be better for me and Zobalina. :)

Would have loved to come, but going on holls..... dam..... will keep a look out for the next one....

Kriss

Ok, nonnas it is then :P and I'll bring Brude - we can hog their front terrace :D

Yikes... How did I miss this :suspect: It's a great idea Feargal - count me in! :clap: Nonnas sounds good too - is it worth asking them to reserve a table for us or shall we just try our luck? (I have no feel for how busy it is likely to be on a Sunday)

Although I've never been to Nonna's it always seems extremely busy, most particularly on a Sunday, so if that's you're intended caff, I strongly recommend booking.

Well, even if we haven't got a set time that we can book Nonno's for, there are lots of nice shops on Ecclesall Road to "build" a picnic from, then if the weather is as nice as this weekend, we can lounge about in the park!

Well, even if we haven't got a set time that we can book Nonno's for, there are lots of nice shops on Ecclesall Road to "build" a picnic from, then if the weather is as nice as this weekend, we can lounge about in the park!

Actually I really like this idea. It could be more of a "social meet" and those that don't like meeting in pubs can come along and have a bit of a picnic and get to know each other.

*selects picnic blanket and blows dust of coolbox*

Yes, I don't have many ideas, then two come along at once!:D I think all the chaps should wear straw boaters and blazers, and the ladies can wear flouncy frocks*.

* Oops, looks like the ideas thing has run it's course. :|

Can we go punting on the River Porter too? :hihi:

Can we go punting on the River Porter too? :hihi:

I'll bring the Pimms, old dear :)

Would be up for the extra walk. Not sure about dressing up though :P

Picnic sounds fab. Any excuse for a Scotch Egg or a sausage roll :thumbsup:

The walk sounds like a great idea Purdy, well done.

We shall be there.

Can we bring the pup?

Would have loved to come, but going on holls..... dam..... will keep a look out for the next one....

Kriss


There's a tour of the cemetery on the first sunday of every month, KK. Just turn up at the gatehouse at 2 pm.

Olliekitten, it's fine to bring the dog!

God, I'm getting a bit nervous now! I'm spending this week cramming the cemetery's history books so I sound like I know what I'm talking about. Any bird, tree, flower or fungus spotting is strictly Taxman's department!

Well this has pursuaded me to come out of my hiding place, so I'm going to give it a go - I would be really interested in joining in with this one if I can find my way there - will get my A-Z out. The picnic sounds good too.

Just checked the weather for tomorrow on metcheck.com (usually very reliable) and it forecasts a dry day tomorrow, just slightly cloudy (a bit like today really!) :clap: I'm really looking forward to the tour - big thank you to Purdyamos for suggesting / organising it! :thumbsup:

There should be a dozen of us, at least (anyone lurking still welcome to turn up!)

I've been thumbing my histories and marking things on a map. Looking forward to it. It's difficult deciding which stories to leave out - it's going to take five hours at this rate! :hihi:

I'm bringing my friend, so that's a baker's dozen Purdy!

What's the parking like down there? I'm going straight from work, so reluctantly have to go in the car... not very walker-ish I know. It's not all permits and that malarky is it?:confused:

<delurks>

Hello everyone. I'm going to turn up as well - possibly bringing someone else along if she's finished doing other stuff.

I am quite interested in this tour too if its not too late to join. :)

Hello everyone! Just had a nice stroll round the block...

Regarding parking, there should be space on Cemetery Avenue or Stalker Lees Road.

Anyone can come along, lurkers included :P and you don't have to put your name down, just turn up! :)

*sulks*

Somebody has been inconsiderate enough to have a new child, so we're going visiting tomorrow :(

*sulks*

Somebody has been inconsiderate enough to have a new child, so we're going visiting tomorrow :(

Can't they stuff it back in for a day or two? Some people are so selfish. :hihi:

Well that was successful and enjoyable, thank you Purdyamos for organinsing it. A pint to finish with was an added bonus.

I'll leave Purdy to do a list of attendees if she wants to.

I think we had a great afternoon. So lucky with the beautiful sunshine. I hope my droning remained interesting, and I hope everyone thought the cemetery was lovely. This is the list of 'tourists'. I apologise heartily if I've left anyone out:

purdyamos, taxman, Shsheff, Blip, Feargal, Andrea, Altus, Grissom, Nooka, Edd Tracie, Patchy, and a woman with blond hair I can't remember the name of (sorry!)

It's a pity we didn't get top see Mick's flat. We could have stopped at the office and seen some old photos and things, but never mind. The pint of ale was waiting at the other end of Eccy Road. :D

An excellent afternoon thank you Purdyamos! I've decided I rather like lurking around in graveyards.:thumbsup:

By the way, I think our blond friend's Forum-name is Bambi!

An excellent afternoon thank you Purdyamos! I've decided I rather like lurking around in graveyards.:thumbsup:

By the way, I think our blond friend's Forum-name is Bambi!

Thank you! Is that Bambi? Hi Bambi! :wave:

Thankyou Purdyamos, it was really interesting and you certainly deserved that pint after all that talking! Just such a shame that some of the statues and ornamental monuments have been taken or vandalised. Nice to meet some new people too! :)

Yes, the other forummer was indeed Bambi! :)

Thank you very much for a fantastic tour Purdy - it was really interesting and I had a great afternoon :D

I'd like to add my thanks to Purdyamos for the tour today.

It was nice meet you all and to be able to put some faces to names as well.

Thanx for the tour Purdy - it was fab :thumbsup:

Who were the people making ghost noises whilst we went past the Catacombs ? Hope they were part of the tour :P

Photos I took are in the General Cemetery folder on my website at http://www.rtapper.plus.com in case anyone couldn't make it and wants a gander

Took a few more pics on way back through the Cemetery so there may be photos of things we didn't see on the official tour for the unofficial walk :P

Fab meeting fellow forummers and ex-Lurkers, let's hope more come out on future walks :)

Thankyou very much Purdyamos. I was educated and enlightened by your walking presentation. And we were so fortunate with the weather, weren't we?

I agree with Nooka, it is a bit depressing that so much damage has been caused by vandals and thieves. You can only hazard a guess what beautiful bits and bobs and angels and things were once standing proudly on the now stumpy bits of those monuments. At least, thanks to you and your friends, it seems that there will be something remaining for living people to enjoy in the future. So, well done!

ps. You are very fond of the word 'oozing', aren't you?

Thanx for the tour Purdy - it was fab :thumbsup:

Who were the people making ghost noises whilst we went past the Catacombs ? Hope they were part of the tour :P

Photos I took are in the General Cemetery folder on my website at http://www.rtapper.plus.com in case anyone couldn't make it and wants a gander

Took a few more pics on way back through the Cemetery so there may be photos of things we didn't see on the official tour for the unofficial walk :P

Fab meeting fellow forummers and ex-Lurkers, let's hope more come out on future walks :)

Great photos, as ever! Many thanks! :thumbsup:

Grissom, those photos are beautiful. I especially love the unusual viewpoints - the chapel spire is wonderful, and the Firth railings really look as fresh as lipstick, like I said! The monuments look so serene with the green trees around, especially the Nicholson Monument. I also noticed that the vandalised relief of George Bennet the Missionary now looks like he's caught in a nuclear blast!

And if you look at the script on the first, 'angel' gravestone, it says 'Beloved wife of Joe P... :suspect:

The cemetery trust would I'm sure love to see your photos, and even use them if you were amenable to that, or at least have copies as part of the archive.

And Blip, I didn't even notice I was using the word oozing. Sounds like I'm in denial of something Freudian... :blush:

Glad u like the pics ! May have overdone processing of some pics if they look like they've been nuked :(

If they do want copies of the pics to use then PM me the snail-mail address and who to send them to and I'll post them on a CD :)

And Blip, I didn't even notice I was using the word oozing. Sounds like I'm in denial of something Freudian... :blush:

Ahem. Quite possibly...

Glad u like the pics ! May have overdone processing of some pics if they look like they've been nuked :(

If they do want copies of the pics to use then PM me the snail-mail address and who to send them to and I'll post them on a CD :)

No, no, you misunderstand! It's not your processing, it's the effect of the vandalism making the fresh stone look white against the weathered blackened bits. That's what it looks like in real life, I've only just been struck by the 'flash' effect it makes. :)

Will contact you about the pics and the cds. Thank you very much for your offer. I'm sure the trust will be delighted. :thumbsup: