Manchester General Cemetery On Winter Break until 2013

[uk2003]

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[goldy]

maybe this weeks secret millionaregives you a clue . it was filmed over the road 

[Cancan]

Hi,

I went to the meeting on Tuesday to see Mr D.L. & Boss- Barry and again they were really nice. Told them of our Trial run which they have been following on this site!!

Ask about a few questions which were brought up on the Sunday Trial.

These are what the details he will be confirming for us:

Just to confirm the points discussed today he has replied via email:

1) I shall confirm if we have permission to clear top soil from
graves/headstones in order to photograph inscriptions.
2) I shall confirm if the soil needs to be replaced or if we can keep the
stones uncovered.
3) I shall confirm if it is feasible for you to be present when the
headstone re-erection is taking place - I am conscious of potential H&S
concerns.
4) you will advise me of future volunteer days - this will enable me to
alert the necessary people.
5) Once we have completed the headstone re-erections we can organise a
Community Day to photograph the remainder of the headstones and hopefully
arrange a press release to publicise the event.

I hope I have covered all of the points however please do let me know if
you want to add anything.

Once again thank you for your time and commitment to this and I look
forward to hearing from you,  D.L.

So, again good news!!

On the trial day we managed to about 100 written inscriptions and I think about 450/500 photographs, but need to confirm this. Mapping proved successful, even as bad as the Cemetery was with the condition of the fallen/vandalised headstones.   

At present my computer is down and all is stored on it. Presently borrowing someones elses, hopefully mine should be up and running on Tuesday/Wed next week.  I'm informed it's a video card in the computer that needs replacing?? 

I will try to check on any messages every couple of days or so, please post on board or PM any questions. Luzzu has been very kind to forward my messages to Volunteers via texts I have sent to her!!  Thanks Luzzu!!!!

If anyone has any questions to ask Mr D.L. let me know, as they are very interested and very keen to help up and support us in any way they can.

I brought the question of the removing of soil up, as some were under a couple of inches of soil and we couldn't do them that day, we just made a note of it. Also mentioned the fencing at the back and sides of fencing which is down.

So, all in all again good news, I think though we we all realised that it cannot be done in a day, so, I think now we need to work out dates when we can go back and do some more, so if anyone wants to start putting dates forward.  Best again in the morning before any visitors?? start arriving.  I also think six or more at a time would be best, safety in numbers??

Personally, presently I can only do Sundays, but I can easily give papers, mapping etc., if others want to do other days.

And Barry has said he will pop down down on a day we are there!! Extra pair of hands??? Well!! we cannot let him come and see us and not help!!!

Thanks Cancan

p.s. Mr D.L. makes a lovely cup of tea, but I didn't get to finish it!! Will all the discussion!!;D

[uk2003]

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[goldy]

me too I have enough of my own common sense to stay clear of danger.

[Viktoria]

I know the headstones would most probably suffer more from weather etc if laid flat, face up ,but it would be safer and they would be more stable and less likely to be pushed over again in the long term. Those that have always been flat in M/C General that we saw on Sunday are still legible , in the case of my family`s after  at least 134 years.                                                                                   We do have to consider people who come after us in years to come and must save these things for them so if in the view of experts raising them again is the best way so be it ,but if the stones are broken off part way down the only way will be to partly bury them with the result mancsman has described.
I noticed with interest the method of erecting on some of the fallen ones at M/C General, quite ingenious really. A sort of dovetail joint in the upright which slotted into a recieving space in the base,all done with great accuracy - but they can not be re-erected using the same method because it would require skilled masons, and some of the stone would inevitably be sacrificed. It would take ages and (even if done by laser which is often the way  carved inscriptions and memorial tablets are done  nowadays)with the number involved is impossible surely. I obviously bow to the greater knowlege of all of you who  are much more experienced than me.I am so pleased that someone has got the ball rolling.Well done .Viktoria.

[LizzieW]

Well done all you people, maybe you'll uncover some of my ancestors graves.  Sorry I can't help, Hampshire to Manchester is a bit of a long way.

Lizzie

[Barbara.H]

3) I shall confirm if it is feasible for you to be present when the
headstone re-erection is taking place - I am conscious of potential H&S
concerns.
4) you will advise me of future volunteer days - this will enable me to
alert the necessary people

I found this on a Scottish website:
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/graveyardleaflet5.pdf

covers several of the H & S issues that Mr DL will be thinking about!
and that led on to this link, another very well written one
http://www.scottishgraveyards.org.uk/resources11.shtml

Legal pointers on these will apply to Scotland of course, but the practical information in them is great, very clear and jargon-free.

Maybe Mr DL's department could run to some basic H & S awareness training for one or two volunteer photographers, that could cover them working alongside the lifting machinery while gravestones were being repositioned? And lend out some protective clothing etc?

I'd love to do another Sunday morning - maybe Mr DL could come along with a great big flask of his lovely tea!   

Barbara

[Cancan]

Hi Barbara,

I have the second link, but I was given one from Oxford Family History it has proved a lot better and is in the U.K.   It from from different sites which I researched when putting it all together.


http://www.gravematters.org.uk/survey-preparation.htm


The first link is great I will forward this on to Mr.D.L.  I am up for a hard hat and ear/noise protectors!!  ;)Thanks!!!

Cancan.


Anyone has any dates to put forward for another visit?? 

How about the Sun 31st Oct morning!!!!!!! or the Sunday 7th Nov morning 9-1.30pm