Shortie
master brummie
During August I received an invitation from Birmingham City Council to attend the centenary service for Handsworth Cemetery Chapel. I went along not knowing what exactly what was happening but as I had been working with Leslam on the catacomb numbering system for Warstone (records at Handsworth), I asked her if she would like to come along too. We were joined by Brian Southwell who had come post-haste from Derby University where he had been playing soldiers or something similar.
The welcome and introductions were by Reverend John Austin of St Anderws C of E, Oxhill Road, Handsworth, a church built by the same architect as Handsworth Chapel, and only eighteen months older in age. Prayers were by Pastor Bryan Scott of the Cannon Street Memorial Baptist Church. Second City Sound, a brilliant ladies' choir sang for us and the hymns we sang (two of my personal favourites) were accompanied on the organ by Clive Hickman. Elspeth Sullivan sang (brilliantly) Ave Maria by Bach/Gounod.
At the time of opening on 1 October 1910, at 3.30pm, the Chairman of Handsworth Urban District Council, Councillor T Henry Berry, was presented with a beautiful key by the architect, W H Bidlake. The chapel, for those who do not know it is in Bidlake's own version of Arts and Crafts, which I find particularly special, this chapel being a wonderful example of Bidlake's work.
Miss Helen Berry gave a talk about her grandfather and showed us the key presented to Councillor Berry, David Fairhurst spoke about the cemetery from his own experience of being Superintendent at Handsworthl and at the end, white doves were released from outside the Chapel.
All was finished off with refreshments in the chapel, which were provided by Joy Keetley who works at Handsworth, and her 'Auntie Mary' who makes the most delicious lemon drizzle cake I have ever tasted. Heatehr Robertson from Witton Cemetrey also helped with the refreshments.
The day was organised by Rose Walker who works with Joy at Handsworth, assisted by Bev Nash, a particularly pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Well done, Rosie!
I have attached some photos, some of my own and some from Leslam, showing some of the cemetery and also some of the Chapel.
These photos show the display which Rose Walker organised, and the mortuary at the Chapel, which is at the far end. This is where the coffin would lie until taken into the Chapel on the day of the funeral.
Shortie
The welcome and introductions were by Reverend John Austin of St Anderws C of E, Oxhill Road, Handsworth, a church built by the same architect as Handsworth Chapel, and only eighteen months older in age. Prayers were by Pastor Bryan Scott of the Cannon Street Memorial Baptist Church. Second City Sound, a brilliant ladies' choir sang for us and the hymns we sang (two of my personal favourites) were accompanied on the organ by Clive Hickman. Elspeth Sullivan sang (brilliantly) Ave Maria by Bach/Gounod.
At the time of opening on 1 October 1910, at 3.30pm, the Chairman of Handsworth Urban District Council, Councillor T Henry Berry, was presented with a beautiful key by the architect, W H Bidlake. The chapel, for those who do not know it is in Bidlake's own version of Arts and Crafts, which I find particularly special, this chapel being a wonderful example of Bidlake's work.
Miss Helen Berry gave a talk about her grandfather and showed us the key presented to Councillor Berry, David Fairhurst spoke about the cemetery from his own experience of being Superintendent at Handsworthl and at the end, white doves were released from outside the Chapel.
All was finished off with refreshments in the chapel, which were provided by Joy Keetley who works at Handsworth, and her 'Auntie Mary' who makes the most delicious lemon drizzle cake I have ever tasted. Heatehr Robertson from Witton Cemetrey also helped with the refreshments.
The day was organised by Rose Walker who works with Joy at Handsworth, assisted by Bev Nash, a particularly pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Well done, Rosie!
I have attached some photos, some of my own and some from Leslam, showing some of the cemetery and also some of the Chapel.
These photos show the display which Rose Walker organised, and the mortuary at the Chapel, which is at the far end. This is where the coffin would lie until taken into the Chapel on the day of the funeral.
Shortie
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