Iain Kelly

I was really surprised when visiting Sheffield last week to be told that my feelings on Loxley chapel had been in the Star. I was a bit perplexed given how long ago I started this post. At the time I ran into so many walls, and so little co operation that aside from bringing a strimmer up to Sheffield and doing it all myself there didn't seem to be much I could do. I understood the Hague's position and was more upset with a) the Church for selling a burial ground with no provision for maintenance and b) English Heritage who were entirely disinterested and dismissive of the chapel. I'd like to ask if anyone knows why this has found it's way into the press again (the Daily Mail also covered it)? Also, does anyone know the state of play re the chapel, new owners, plans, etc? I'd be grateful if anyone could bring me up to date. I still care deeply about this place and what has happened to it. I'd be more than willing to get involved on any level if any good can be done. Thanks, Iain

All fair points PopT, thanks for that. After my post yesterday I made a fair amount of progress regarding Loxley Chapel. Upon speaking to 2 English Heritage offices, 2 Conservation Officers, Bradfield Parish Council, the current owner of the chapel and burial ground and the ex Chairman of the Bradfield Community Forum I now have a better understanding of the circumstances. The chapel AND burial ground both belong to the Hagues, of Hague Farming, Bradfield. I had a very frank conversation with William Hague who was extremely helpful and informative. The situation regarding the graves and cemetery is quite complicated as I believe freehold obviously now belongs to the owner but the grave plots belong to the families of the deceased, who “bought” the plot. Some maintenance work has been carried out by the owner. Sheffield Council seem to want nothing to do with this, as it is a privately owned ground. I would argue at this point that I personally consider the church to have a degree of responsibility to make provision for the future of their interned brethren when they sell their buildings and our dead, and also I would strongly question the law which allows a private individual to buy the land on which are buried citizens, this seems wrong somehow. It is not hard to understand why the owner perhaps does not want the responsibility of the upkeep and would be happy for this to fall elsewhere. It is my impression that the owner does not want the burial ground and it is worth mentioning that despite the Council’s suggestion to close it, it remains open for business purely at the behest of the owner. Worth mentioning also is that work has been carried out on the chapel to prevent further decay. I believe there may have been theft of roof lead, heating pipes and other internal fittings. Non the less the situation remains the same and I still feel that a solution should be sought. I was also informed that there was a move from a community based organisation to make a bid for both chapel and cemetery with a view to bringing both back into the fold of the community. It appears that this actually had the blessing of all sides (including English Heritage who have the building on their “at risk” register) but that the proposal may have faltered. I am going to pursue this and see what can be done to regenerate interest in the proposal. Please do get in touch if you can further the cause in any way. Iain

A recent visit to Sheffield found me seeking out Loxley Chapel and burial ground. Like a lot of other people I am investigating my family tree and have discovered that a number of my relatives are buried there. Even through I had read a little about the place on this forum I was shocked at the state of both the building and cemetery. After a long search I was unable to identify the family graves and came away quite distressed at the total and utter neglect. My horror was increased on the discovery that the burial ground is still accepting new customers, as it were. I can’t help but feel that this is a shocking state of affairs being a microcosm of much which is wrong with our society. Here lay our dead. Sheffield people laid to rest in originally quite beautiful surroundings but now ignored and forgotten. How did this come about? When did we stop caring about our forbears to the extent that we allow their graves to disappear? I presume that there is an official responsibility for the upkeep of burial grounds? So why is this not happening? Cost? Lack of interest? Personally I see a joint responsibility. We should respect our dead and perhaps a mixture of pressure to better maintain these places, coupled with a willingness to collaborate in this personally, could halt this appalling situation. I hear that the chapel itself is listed but has changed hands. On inspection the door is wide open, having been broken in and legal, or illegal, internal demolition started with panelling, floorboards and pews now missing. Everything that remains is clearly vulnerable to removal or destruction. What exactly is planned for this lovely old place? Apartments? Does the new owner acknowledge the need to preserve anything of this important place? I would be very interested to know who owns this building and their intentions for it, including the impact on the graveyard. Loxley chapel and cemetery are important, aesthetically, socially and historically. Is there anyone else who shares my feelings? Anyone else who is prepared to join me in trying to do something about this? I for one am not happy with sitting by and allowing the remains of my family to lay forgotten in a jungle of brambles. I realise that this is not a unique or new phenomena but perhaps it is time that something was done, at Loxley and any other similarly neglected cemeteries in Sheffield Maybe if we respect the past and those who lived there we will better respect the present and those who live there! Iain Kelly, Shropshire

Nigel, I had given up on a reply to my post and have just found yours today. I don't know what I was thinking putting my Mum's married name down. Thanks for your kind words about her, I'd love to talk to anyone else who might have known her. I left Ecclesfield when I was 15 but there must be quite a few people there who remember her. Thanks again, it meant a great deal to read your post All the best Iain Kelly

I think my mum was at Yew Lane around this time, Mary Kelly, did you know her?

On behalf of a friend who lives abroad I'm searching for a Glaswegian guitarist named Robert Cambell. He played with John O'Hara & The Playboys and The Chaperons many moons ago but then lived and played in Sheffield. If you are he, or know where he can be found then let me know.

My Grandad worked as a salesman & manager at Wigfalls from immediately post war to the 80's in various branches, Fitz sq, Hillsborough, The Moor etc. Wouldn't mind hearing from anyone who may have worked in these branches & who may have known him.