Musings in an English Cemetery

I have the role of manager and clerk to our Burial Board and have had this task for the past 22 years.

This day ,as I ready all for what is more than 800 such happenings to date, I prepare for the arrival of the funeral cortège from Nantwich .

A check that the grave is fully ready and dressed and that the register, which records all such days, is in place awaiting the signature of the one taking the service here.

Sit in the quiet of the front lawns and muse. Watch the breeze playing with the trees. Warm sunshine dappling the leaves and encouraging the many butterflies and some lovely hover flies with striped abdomens. The huge Lebanese cedar tree bowing its long branches in the gentle wind -- planted way back in around 1760/80, at a time when Capability Brown was busy designing grand gardens for stately homes. He was the man who introduced such trees to the landed gentry of England and I have no exact knowledge of the happenstance whereby our magnificent tree was planted here. Aside from the fact that the land on which the cemetery stands was purchased by the newly created Burial Board from one John Knight Armstrong's estate, so it must have been this gentleman or his forebears who planted the trees that we now enjoy and admire.

In addition to this tree, the only one I think in all of Cheshire, we have the lime trees, of which the oldest was here in the reign of George III in 1810. Plus some very fine tall conifers. Perhaps a red wood tree.

But now all in motion in the breeze ,as I await the mourners. This place is an oasis of peace away from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life hereabouts. Many walkers pass by me as I sit and wait, and my mind flying off in all directions. Memories with me of my late wife Joan who lies here.
The jubilee trees we planted in honour of Her Majesty and for the 150th year of the cemetery are all performing well, in spite of the rainless days and weeks.
We have an excellent team of three who care for all the lawns, plants, trees and blooms with true dedication and pride in their work. As witness the cared for look here.
Still I await the cortège. Delayed by the back to school traffic and the multitude of roadworks. All in all I am here for over two hours.
Arrival of all persons and my reveries are over.

All then managed with due consideration and I leave.
An end to my afternoon of musing.

Ralph Warburton