Winter in Overleigh Cemetery

The cemetery takes on a magical atmosphere as winter snows lay upon the ground and dusts the trees.

Read More

Springtime in Overleigh Cemetery

Most of us associate cemeteries with death and the loss of a loved one and therefore not somewhere that you would want to go to unless you have to. I like to think of cemeteries in more of a positive light - somewhere beautiful and peaceful to lay our loved ones to rest. Nothing demonstrates this more than Overleigh Cemetery in Springtime. The season starts with primroses that blanket the ground,

followed by bluebells,

and forget-me-nots,
















and finally the trees burst out. I think you would have to agree that you would be hard pressed to find a more beautiful resting place.

Read More

Mariners

It is very easy to forget now in our modern world, that Chester was once a port. The most we expect to see now on the River Dee are pleasure cruise boats or rowing boats. It is only once you start to walk around Overleigh Cemetery and see 'Mariner' mentioned many times on the inscriptions that you start to realise our city's seafaring history.

George Lewis 1859-1908 The inscription reads:

In Memory Of
SALLY LEWIS
Who Died 16 July 1857
Aged 63 Years
Also
WILLIAM LEWIS
Son Of The Above
Who Died 14 January 1858 Aged 33 Years
Also
JOHN LEWIS
Son Of The Above
Who Died 31 August 1859 Aged 38 Years
Also
EDWARD LEWIS
Son Of The Above
Who Died 15 March 1891 Aged 64 Years
Also
ELLEN
Wife Of The Above Named
EDWARD LEWIS
Who Died 25 April 1897 Aged 72 Years
Also
ANNIE HELEN LEWIS
Third Daughter Of
EDWARD And ELLEN LEWIS
Who Died At Lucerne 30 October 1907
Aged 46 Years
Also
GEORGE LEWIS
Master Mariner
Third Son Of The Above Named
EDWARD And ELLEN LEWIS
Who Died 13 November 1908 Aged 49 Years
Also SARAH EMILY WARD PRICE
Second Daughter Of
EDWARD And ELLEN LEWIS
And Widow Of The Rev. HENRY WARD PRICE
Who Died February 10th 1946 Aged 88 Years
Also GEORGE WARD PRICE Journalist
Born 12th February 1886
Died 2nd August 1961
Also Of HENRY LEWIS WARD PRICE
Who Died September 13 1963 Aged 75 Years




William Masson 1863-1911 The inscription reads:


In Loving Memory Of
WILLIAM MASSON,
Master Mariner Of Findhorn Scotland,
Who Died August 12th 1911
Aged 48 Years.
"Thy Will Be Done."



                                                                   



                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

John Gorham 1815-1858 The Inscription reads:
In Memory Of

JOHN GORHAM
Master Mariner
Who Departed This Life
12th Nov. 1858, Aged 43.
Also HANNAH GORHAM,
The Beloved Wife Of The Above
Who Died 8th Jan: 1885,
Aged 65 Years.
Also THOMAS YOUDE,
Son-In-Law Of The Above
Who Died 27th February 1886,
Aged 37 Years.
Also EDWARD GORHAM,
Son Of The Above
JOHN And HANNAH GORHAM
Who Died 6th Jan 1892
Aged 42 Years.
Also JOHN, Son Of The
Above JOHN And
HANNAH GORHAM,
Who Died Jan. 22nd 1906
Aged 58 Years.
Also WILLIAM GORHAM,
Plumber Of This City
Who Died May 28th 1910,
Aged 53 Years.

Read More

Storm Doris Clear-Up

I finally got a chance to have a proper look at the damage done by the trees blown down during storm 'Doris.' I had not been able to get too close as the tree surgeons had quite rightly taped off parts of the cemetery while they were doing their work. Amazingly the majority of gravestones survived. From what I have seen I think only a couple were sadly smashed and some others were pushed over.

   The Gravestone of Randolph Cook who died in 1906 was one of the really lucky ones. If you look at my previous blog you can see it sandwiched between two very thick branches.

  

 Also these all seemed to have survived without a scratch considering they were buried under a conifer after storm 'Doris.'

  

     

      

Another lucky escape.

Read More

Storm Doris Aftermath

Just as I thought spring was in the air and I was looking forwards to being back in the graveyard recording the gravestones and their inscriptions storm 'Doris' steamed in. I went to have a look today to see if any damage was done and was dismayed to see the devastation.





Two large conifers were blown down and various branches have come down. Sadly some of the gravestones have been smashed and others are buried beneath the foliage. I'm just hoping that once the grounds maintenance team start the clear up that some of the gravestones will have survived.

Read More