Blaydon Cemetery Shown on Ordnance Survey second edition with its mortuary chapels (Early English style) divided by an archway, and also housing a curator. First edition map shows a coal drift within the site (HER 3444). Opened in March 1873. Covers an area of 3.25 acres. Cost £2,600. The cemetery has been much enlarged. Contains two listed monuments - memorial to Thomas Ramsay (d. 1873) and a war memorial. In the cemetery there is also a granite vault marking the resting place of the last of a long line of Claverings - SIR HENRY AUGUSTUS CLAVERING, of Axwell Park, Tenth and last Baronet, Born 30th August 1824, died 9th November 1893; aged 69 years. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Blaydon Cemetery was established in 1873 in response to the growing demand for burial space outside town centres, as there was great concern over the health risks involving proximity to areas of dense population. The site chosen was to the east of the town,at Shibdon, called The Close or Blunt’s Close, bought from Colonel Towneley, who owned a great deal of land in the area. It was an ideal site for a cemetery – on sloping land, from which good views could be gained across the river valley and which also enabled the sometimes elaborate memorials to be shown off to the best advantage. The committee minutes record that the land was surveyed, the cemetery laid out, and the buildings designed by Matthew Thompson, but as yet no plans have been found showing his original design concept. The executed design only covered a relatively small area, with a main entrance to the northwest corner, with the buildings (a lodge and chapel) placed along serpentine paths that were becoming a rare feature by this period. The consecrated section was to the east, and the unconsecrated to the west, with separate plots for Roman Catholics and other non-conformists (most likely to be Methodists). Visually striking, the grave markers in the upper part of the cemetery are set out in clear rows, which strangely mirror the streets in the area, ascending the hill on a north-south axis. To the lower, earlier section of the land, however, the monuments are more informally arranged, harmonising with the different path systems from each time period. The entrance was clearly designed to make an impression, with monumental gate piers topped by simple pyramid caps set on an arc, thus allowing for gathering space. The railings are simple in iron, with double rows of uprights at the base (adding to security) and arced decorative elements towards the top. This enclosure method of low plinth walls with ‘palisading’ was employed for part of the cemetery (to allow for views), but the remainder was enclosed by high stone boundary walls, mainly rubble in character, with chamfered copings. The lodge included office space for the management of the cemetery and the burial board meetings. The composite chapel with a central porte-cochere (covered carriage entrance) was a typical solution to the requirements for both Church of England and Non-Conformist worship space. This example is particularly fine, and offers an appropriately stately entrance point to the main cemetery (see Information Sheet X20/LL/228), and now forms a wonderful linear set piece with the war memorial to the north of it, and the monument to Thomas Ramsay situated along the winding path ascending the hill to the south. The war memorial can be seen through the arch from the opposite side as an attractive framed view. The layout of cemeteries was often strongly influenced by the views of J C Loudon, with weeping and fastigiate (erect and tapering) trees, as well as the traditional yews and dark foliaged evergreens planted along paths, providing a framework (although this was usually on a grid pattern not favoured here). In this cemetery, the tree cover within the cemetery is scattered fairy randomly. In general it is more densely covered to the south and east of the chapel, with the dominant mature species being sycamore. Other species present in lesser numbers include birch, beech, ash and lime. However, there is clear evidence of these weeping and fastigiate trees, in the form of several very large mature white poplar trees and one weeping ash tree adjacent to the chapel. This area displays the greatest species diversity. Evergreen species that are present include one fine specimen yew tree adjacent to the chapel, one mature pine and a few cypress. There is evidence of some tree planting as several young cherry and maple are present. However, these are not typical of the character of the cemetery. There are areas, however, where there is a notable lack of tree cover – it is very sparse in the southwestern areas of the grounds, in the western part of the extension. It may have been that there were not many trees planted, but there is a concentration to the east, which would belie this interpretation. It may simply be that the trees in the western area were more exposed and susceptible to damage. Attention was often paid to the location of the planting, with variation introduced in different parts of the cemeteries, although flowering trees and shrubs were only really introduced from around 1875. There do not appear to have been glasshouses (except possibly a very small one) on the original cemetery, but there are outbuildings present on the 3rd Edition OS map which may have been for propagation. Otherwise planting may have been minimal, or obtained from off site. Many cemeteries were extended in the latter part of the 19th century, as demand for space increased in advance of the general acceptance of cremation, and this one was no exception. It was extended in about 1898; the old paths straightened in places and new plots laid out in a rather loose grid pattern, in keeping with the more utilitarian fashions emerging at this time. Additional ground was requested from a Mr Bolam of about 4 acres at the South side of the cemetery, at least doubling it in size. At this time the lodge to the east of the entrance was demolished and a new one built to the west – possibly to give more burial space adjacent to the northern boundary, as some trees were clearly planted around the new building, making it unlikely to be due to visibility issues. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION In 1871 the Burial Board received a letter from Mr. J. Ramsay (Blaydon Main Colliery). He informs them that coal was worked out under intended cemetery land, and states that should any shrinking take place on the site it would not be his responsibility! The cost of the cemetery as originally laid out was estimated in advance to be £2600. The cost of the land was £200 an acre, so this probably made up about £800 of the total. Henry Watson appears to have been the first Superintendent, quickly followed by Edward Beattie who was in post by 12th July 1874. Often in Victorian cemeteries the costs of plots varied, with the most expensive plots being along the pathways and adjacent to the buildings. This was a cunning device to encourage the enhancement of the original design by the best quality memorials over time. This does not appear to have happened at Blaydon, however, as all the graves seem to be a standard price of £2 in the earliest register of fees. The research assistance of Caroline Harrop is gratefully acknowledged. MATERIALS Sandstone walls, iron railings, stone (variety) memorials SPECIES Sycamore, white poplar, weeping ash, birch, beech, ash, lime, pine and cypress DESIGNER Matthew Thompson BUILDER Robert Smith DATES 1873 (Extended c1898) Opened 21st July 1873
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 14:00:02 +0000
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