Sunday June 6th 2013 is etched in my memory like a pressed flower in a book. A fragile, fragrant remembrance of something important. It marked the second of my cemetery visits as part of the '39 Project'. Prior to exploring the Abney Park Cemetery, I attended a talk which was part of the Stoke Newington Literary Festival. The talk was given by Peter Stanford which in many respects tied in and possibly, publicised his current book
, How To Read A Graveyard: Journeys in the Company of the Dead. His book describes his exploration over the years of various cemeteries around Europe. It's funny how I learnt about this book after I had started the '39 Project', which has continued to emphasise to me the importance of mortality and the attendant memorials to the living. Understanding the end even if paradoxically, unsure what will happen next continues to be a prevalent concern but not at the expense of living. As Peter Stanford, a journalist, broadcaster and biographer revealed in both the book and talk, graveyards are a great place to walk your dog:
I take the family dog for a daily walk around our local cemetery. Two circuits is my routine, one if the wind is biting. It is a habit that started by accident. I needed somewhere to exercise the pet I had reluctantly been persuaded to take on by my children - who of course, insisted that they would attend to her but, equally inevitably, didn't and still don't. And the neighbourhood graveyard is the nearest green, open space in this over-crowded city. There are parks if I stretch my legs slightly further, but a few test runs showed them to be as busy as the high street. By contrast, in the cemetery, at most times of day, I can more or less be by myself - save for the dog and the company of the dead.
(Stanford: Introduction - x1 - (Bloomsbury, 2013))
I wonder then whether part of my liking for cemeteries derives from the same need to have some time for personal reflection away from the noise, chaos and inarticulate fumblings of everyday life. A solitary moment in a city that does not stop.
Peter Stanford in his talk revealed many interesting facts, not least the fact that cremation is more popular than burial in the 21st Century. Indeed, historically cremation has veered into and out of favour depending upon religious beliefs. Should the body be kept in its entirety as God intended or should it be fragmented and scattered like a blanket of pollen mixing with the air and water? He also talked about the symbolism that is prevalent within cemeteries. The interesting fact about this symbolism is how it has subtly altered and means something slightly different at various historical points. Some of the symbolism is specific to the occupier of the graves too. As such, a grave can reveal as much about a person as a poem, if we choose to take the time to explore the life of another and how they wish to be remembered.
After the talk, which was held in Abney Public Hall, opposite Abney Park Cemetery, I was surprised and delighted to learn that we were to be taken around the Cemetery accompanied by one of the Cemetery's volunteers and the author. As we wandered around the Cemetery, I learnt a lot about the history of the location and its importance to the local community.
The Abney Park Cemetery is one of the so-called 'Magnificent Seven Cemeteries' in London. It was originally laid out in the early 18th Century by Lady Mary Abney and Dr. Isaac Watts and the Hartopp family as parkland. In 1840, it became a non-denominational garden cemetery, a semi-public park arboretum and an educational institute. It hit troubled times in the 1970s. Even today, it is threatened by the possible incursion of Sainsbury's on its boundary, which could adversely effect the ecology which thrives in abundance in an environment where Nature is encouraged to simply develop.
Indeed, my first feeling upon entering the Abney Park Cemetery was how unusual it looked compared to other cemeteries. Wild flowers and weeds had encroached upon everything, the gravestones suffering from the fierce grasp of creepers and other parasitic plants. Also some of the pathways between the gravestones have all but disappeared under the furious progress of Nature. At one point during the tour, the volunteer guide explained that the Abney Park Trust is not even sure exactly where some people are buried. Also some of the graves are structurally unsound and one test to determine their state is to push the stones. Stones deemed unsafe are marked as such.
Safety notice warning visitors of instability of certain memorials.
Memorial stone being groped by Nature. Another future fatality?
I was very intent on this visit to take some photographs of the different styles of memorial stones to illustrate the symbolism, which had been explained in the talk by Peter Stanford and by the volunteer guide. Below is a selection of different styles of stones to illustrate what they are seeking to connote.
The urn with drape is sometimes symbolic of profession i.e. the deceased was an actor. Otherwise, it can represent the last partition between life and death. Also symbolises immortality.
Angel carrying cross. I would interpret this as a protective image. The notion that someone or something benevolent is watching over us as we travel into the afterlife. Also a reminder of Jesus' Crucifixion, which is quite often linked to resurrection in some form or other.
Split column connotes a life cut short. Garland of flowers around column probably a symbol of protection or simply a reminder of how much the deceased was loved and respected during their brief sojourn on this world.
Memorial stones that resemble piles of rocks connote strength. The deceased or their family is implying how important they have been in the lives of others.
As we were led around the Cemetery, we were shown small areas that were reserved for Music Hall celebrities who had died, two graves were pointed out of a policeman who had been killed in the line of duty and of a little boy who had also been sadly killed on the same occasion (the graves are still maintained by the Metropolitan Police) and also we were shown the Chapel.
The Chapel has been subject to a fire and extensive vandalism over the years but even so, it remains an imposing feature in Abney Park Cemetery.
The Chapel partially boarded up owing to fire and vandalism.
Striking window with remnants of stained glass clinging to the framework.
Through the Chapel window, someone has scrawled their tag, in a hope to be remembered for the short-term, the future is such a vague possibility in an age of vandalism.
In order to conclude this blog entry, I just want to post three photos. I took one photo as a reminder to myself that life is still a feature of graveyards. The other photo is simply a memorial stone I found striking and the final photo is of the Booth Family's stones. This was ironically, the first plot I was profoundly drawn to upon entering the Abney Park Cemetery. Booth being my Mother's maiden name and the Booths were of course the originators of the Salvation Army. A charitable organisation, which is still going strong today.
Pretty Flower. A reminder of life.
Pensive memorial. Intrinsic beauty cavorting gently with Nature.
The gravestone of William Booth and Catherine Booth, founders of the Salvation Army.
Afterword
How To Read A Graveyard: Journeys in the Company of the Dead - Peter Stanford (Bloomsbury, 2013).
The above book is a very intelligent and heartfelt exploration of the importance of graveyards in the life of the living.
For further information on Abney Park Cemetery, please check the following two links:
Barry Watt - 19th July 2013.
