Audlem Cemetery – Part I

Ed – It is some time since we last published the story of the Audlem Cemetery – there will be quite a few "new" Audlem residents who will not know, and some older ones who have perhaps forgotten, the history of this remarkable village place.

Part I – history of the cemetery
Part II – War graves and paupers graves
Part III – Present Day

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The history of Audlem Cemetery

1872

• Burial Board formed- catering for the ecclesiastical area of the St James Church as decreed by Chester Diocese.

1873

• January 21st. Borrowed £2000 (in today's money that is about £160,000) – at interest rate of 5% -over 30 instalments – HP!!
• February 4th Board buys 2 acres from the estate of John Knight Armstrong . for £600 ( £48,000)

1874

• The Board builds the Chapels at a cost of £170,000 in today's money.
• Architect was Thomas Bower – of Bower Eddlestone – Nantwich!
• The Chapels- in Victorian Gothic style – are listed buildings. With fine Minton tiled floors and unique timber ceilings. The traditional Gargoyle is there on the central roof area. Along with a fine and unique glazed carved cameo of Christ
• September 16th . Cemetery opens
• December 4th – First burial – an independent widow named Hannah Sandells aged 66 in grave number 152! On the left of the very first path. Why in the middle of the area I do not understand, for at that time it would have been an open field.
• An Ann Evans bought the grave for 16 shillings ' – about £300 today
• Cost of the burial was £1.7.6d . Ann Evans was then also buried there in 1875

1894

• Burial Board becomes "The Joint Burial Board" .

1921/22

• Need for more land recognised.

1923

• A Ministry of health enquiry was held in the Public Hall ( Bulit in 1903/4 ) to determine the need for the extension of the cemetery. This was voted as a yes by the village.

1924

• Accordingly, Joint Burial Board bought 3 acres and 38 perches. Perch is an old measure equal to 30 sq yds (160 sq perches to an acre) from a certain Mr William Smith .
• Richard Mathews was the architect .

Today

Within the older area, we have some 500 old C of E graves and on the right hand side and on the right, a further 450 purchased graves for the non C of E residents- including of course the paupers graves – all of whom were then buried in un-consecrated land!

RW – If you wish any help in any way do contact me on 07813 820157 or rjw@notrubraw.com