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One can never predict the thoughts and ideas that will be prompted from headstones encounted …….  Yesterday’s early morning me-time was taken at St Finbarr’s Cemetery. At the back of Section G, I was thinking of Charles Dickens – I suspect that I have not thought of him when in a cemetery before. But is he the reason that Ebenezer is no longer a popular name for babies????
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In Tralee, a while back, I was reminded of the song – ‘You say tomato, I say tomato’ I am not the target audience for acrylic nails – or for arcilic nails either. I wonder if the target audience actually care as to how it is spelled…..
Who was last member of the Rhossili Coastguard who attended the rescue of 11 people from the Roche Castle in 1937 The language and grammar on headstones are not always precise and exact.  Shepherd headstone at St Mary the Virgin graveyard, Rhossili, Wales
 “The Board of Trade’s shield for the “best wreck service of the year” was awarded to the Rhossili Company for the rescue on the night of the 10th January, 1937 of ten of the crew of the trawler Roche Castle, which went ashore on the rocky Gower coast, about twelve miles from Swansea.” My assumption is that Raymond Hussey Shepherd was the ‘last member of the Rhossili Coastguard who attended the rescue of 11 people from the Roche Castle in 1937”.
If the footnote was carved when there was only one name on the headstone, there would have been clear and obvious as to who was the last surviving member of the coastguard. If the footnote was added with the second name, Christopher, my assumption is that the footnote would have so clarified – but assumptions are not always correct. The Roche Castle has gone on the TO FIND OUT MORE list as so far have had limited success.  I have often asked the question – is that with a PH or a V?
The reply then received from a Stephen or a Steven. Upto my visit to Shanrahan Cemetery, I had not ever contemplated a spelling of SHTEPHEN. It may be an engraving error but maybe in the 1770’s that was the spelling……..  Shanrahan Cemetery. Co. Tipperary Neil Greene was the husband of Margaret Green I am assuming the addition or addition of the third E is an engraving error but there could be another explanation. It does appear like a missing E.
 My father died nearer three than two years ago. His name is yet to appear on the headstone – his children not being any way as organised as he was. He had the headstone engraved with my mother’s name within weeks of her burial. The headstone had been erected many years before awaiting the first death, prepared like the good scout. I did not know of the engraving in advance of my visit to the grave. His efficiency did not surprise but to see the name engraved in stone was a new sensation. My visit that day was significantly longer than normal. I would definitely have preferred hand carved lettering rather than a machine. I might have opted for a different font and different wording. It is more than seven years since the stone was carved. I have stood in front of it many times and have not resolved the issue that cannot be unseen. Since first communicated to me by a consultant neurologist many years ago, I have often resorted to the expression – ‘That is just the way that I am wired’. My parents, better than most, knew of my particular wiring. My father did not see any issue with the wording on the headstone but I immediately saw, and could not unsee, the missing acute accent on NEE. I am sometimes tempted to have it added when my father’s name is carved – I have spotted similar corrections. But it will probably remain as it is currently written – a reminder to this reader that sometimes, just let things go.  On Wednesday morning, I travelled to the graveyard of St. Mary the Virgin at Rhossili to visit the memorial at Sailor’s Corner. I was struck by the coffin shaped stones placed on a number of the graves. I could not recall seeing such stones before and planned to go through the older cemetery photographs to check if I had actually seen before. A post on Bluesky this morning from Louvain Rees included a selection of cast iron at St. Mary’s Church in Whitechurch and it includes a surround in the shape of a coffin. Was this a thing? Was this just a Welsh thing? My TO FIND OUT MORE list is getting longer…….  Con Houlihan has the words Fisherman; Turf Cutter; Rugby Player; Teacher; Writer. Breifne O’Callaghan is remembered by the words Rogue, Vagabond, Swashbuckler. Robert Anthony Theodore House’s words are now firmly embedded in the memory.
Spotted on a lovely morning at St Mary the Virgin, Rhossili earlier this week.
 When out walking last week was the first time that I went to Whitethorn on the Douglas Road – have driven past many times but never visited until then – and what a pleasant surprise. I nod to the developer. I am a fan of hoppers. It looks like a special casting was used to embellish the hoppers that were used throughout the estate – three shamrocks. Beautiful. I departed Whitethorn smiling……
 I have spotted the names of stone-carvers and stone-cutters on statues, headstones and plaques. Last week, on the Douglas Road, is the first time that I can recall spotting a name on a gate post. I am presuming it is the stone carver and not the ironworks who made the gate – but the name does look like branded in concrete. Another for the TO FIND OUT MORE list…..
 It was only in the last week that I spotted this sign at Kent Station. It is definitely the type of sign that would attract my attention and be committed to memory, so I do wonder if it is reasonably recent or if my observation skills are diminishing. It is not a small sign. My first though was a Cork-play on Harry Potter and the platform at King’s Cross that still remains on my TO VISIT list. It is probably the number of miles to Dublin Heuston but wondering as to when it was put up…..  I must have missed this in the David Attenborough programmes but near a busy road in Swansea was the first time I spotted the Seagull Dance.
Probably not practicing Irish Dancing Probably not nervous excitement. This dance appeared more successful that my memories of the Rain Dance in the old westerns – shortly after stopping filming, it looked like some insect/worm was consumed. |
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