Residents of the West End took part in a historic tour of St John’s Cemetery
to find about the lives of those buried there.
Last week, a group of residents who live or grew up in the West End of Newcastle took part in a historic tour of St John’s Cemetery.
The event which was organised by Judith Greene of St James Heritage and Environment Group and led by city tour guide -Tony Stephenson told the tales of the many famous people who have been laid to rest at the site in Elswick.
From sailors of the Chinese Imperial Navy to John Woodger, the fish monger who accidentally invented kippers to the memorial for the thirty-eight miners who were killed in the Montagu Pit Disaster, this landmark for local and global history holds the stories of many innovative and heroic people.
The group also had the opportunity to look around the chapel in the cemetery which has been closed for some time now. Though largely empty, the structures of the building are still impressive. It would be great to see this space provided with some restoration to bring it back to its former glory.
Many of the people who attended the tour, also have members of their family buried at St. John’s Cemetery and are keen to trace their family history and take part in the Stories of the Stones project.
If you have any friends, family or ancestors buried at either St Johns and Westgate Hill Cemeteries or are interested in local history – get in touch. We are going to create a poetry book and develop this website to honour their memories, celebrate local history and nature.
We have a weekly drop in, cuppa, chat, research and arts activity session running on Monday afternoons 1-5pm @ Westend Library, Condercum Road NE49JH (opposite Lidl). Just drop in OR find out more info by dropping us an email: Julie Ballands julieballands@gmail.com or Donald Jenkins bornlippywordy@gmail.com
To find out more about the range of local history and environment events organised by St James Heritage and Environment Group, please visit: https://stjamesheritage.com