NEWSLETTER August 2021 NUMBER 54 Officers: Other Trustees: Roger Williams Chairman John Pullen Vice Chairman Tony Butt Secretary Peter Almond Jon Matthews Richard Day Treasurer Barry Sowerby Stella Watling Registered Charity no: 1180926 Please address all enquiries to: The Secretary, Friends of Northwood Cemetery, 16 Church Road, Gurnard, PO31 8JP; Tel: (01983) 295807 Email: [email protected] Website: www.friendsofnorthwoodcemetery.org.uk Chairman’s Report At last, with restrictions easing, on Friday 4th June we were able to hold our TARGET £12,000 first themed Coffee Morning since March of last year, and together with a £12,000 plant sale, raised over £400 towards the restoration costs of the Civilian

£10,000 War Grave, which combined with other donations means we have now raised just over £9,000 in total. We are still some £3,000 short of our target £8,000 and whilst we are seeking sources of grant funding, your donation, no matter how small or large, would be most welcome. You can donate online £6,000 by visiting our website, send a cheque to our treasurer or give cash to any one of our trustees who are usually working in the Cemetery on Wednesday £4,000 and Saturday mornings.

£2,000 Work on restoring the kerb stones is expected to start in early August and will likely take about 4 – 6 weeks. Please be mindful of contractor’s vehicles £0 and equipment when visiting the Cemetery during this period.

On 2nd July we had a book sale in brilliant sunshine outside the Heritage Resource Centre. It was good to see so many of our ‘regulars’ again as well as a number of new visitors. My sincere thanks to everyone who supported (and helped) at these coffee mornings, we do hope to see you all at our future sessions, (see the back page for diary dates).

I am pleased to say that our Partners, the Isle of Wight Council, arranged for many of the concrete paths to be repaired, which had become broken and uneven and posed serious trip hazards. They have also arranged for contractors to repair and apply wood preservative to the gazebo timbers shortly.

Midsummer is the perfect time to visit the grounds and take in the huge variety of flora and fauna within the Cemetery. There is currently an abundance of butterflies, insects, wild flowers, birds and of course our many red squirrels to admire; well worth a visit if you have an hour or so to spare.

President: Jon Matthews Vice Presidents: Geoff Banks, B E M David Jones Graham Lloyd Lora Peacey-Wilcox Headstone - Hidden from View Nearing the completion of transcribing the memorial inscriptions of Plot 15, I noticed, by peering through a rhododendron bush, evidence of stonework; the one that nearly got away? Unknown at the time, it was a fallen headstone, dirty and buried in leaf litter. Although it did just look like the edge of an old breeze block, further investigation was required to at least eliminate it.

The first task was to check the shrubbery for evidence of any birds’ nests and after finding none, the loppers and secateurs were put into action. Several cuts and scratches later (that bramble was very sharp!) the Friends of Northwood Cemetery Conservation Team were called in to help clear around the area, which revealed the toppled headstone (albeit in good condition). It was very dirty, but once washed off the owners name became clear. Joseph Ninham; interred 1895; and his daughter Ellen, 1936.

With its decorative edging and almost perfect lead lettering crafted by a stonemason over one hundred years ago, it was an exciting discovery. It was a great sense of achievement to then be able to photograph and transcribe the inscription, subsequently uploading the results to the owner’s burial record on the website.

Revealing ‘hidden’ memorials gives immense satisfaction to the FoNC volunteers; bringing them back into view after being hidden for (possibly) many years.

To see the results of the operation, you can find the record of Joseph Ninham and a link to his daughter, Ellen, on the website at http://www.friendsofnorthwoodcemetery.org.uk/b urial-record/ninham-joseph/

The Friends of Northwood Cemetery annually set-aside a proportion of their donated funding to repair and/or re- erect memorials within the Cemetery. In fact, restoration work is imminent on nine memorials which are covered by the 2020/21 budget, at a cost of some £2,500. Most of these are headstones that were either toppled or damaged when the large Monterey Pine fell on Plot 22 in March 2020.

Joseph and Ellen Ninham may be lucky enough to have their memorial re-erection included on the 2021/22 list, funds permitting.

Barry Sowerby Historian

2 Rashley's The story of this family firm of bakers and grocers starts in 1877 when Edwin Colin Rashley founded the firm. In 1887 a plot of land in Park Road was purchased by Mr Rashley for £248; this became the well-known shop and bakery. Although now owned by others it is still known as 'Rashley’s'. Buried in Northwood Cemetery are several members of the family.

The founder Edwin Colin is buried beneath this headstone in plot 15 grave 111, he died on 6th February 1943 aged 88. Buried beside him in grave 122 is his first wife Martha who died on 13th July 1911 aged 54. His second wife Bertha who he married in 1915 died on 28th March 1955 aged 88 is buried with him in plot 111.

Edwin is described in an Isle of Wight County Press 13th February 1943 report as a staunch Liberal and a founder member of Liberal Club. He was a Vice-President of Northwood Cricket Club and Cowes Bowling Club. As a young man he grew prize winning chrysanthemums, showing them at South of England shows. Edwin and Martha had five children; two boys and three girls.

The sons Edwin Colin (the same as his father) and Douglas Leigh took over what was now Rashley Bros. when Edwin senior retired in 1916. Edwin had two brothers, Charles and Frank Leigh. It appears they both worked for the firm rather than being partners. They are both buried in Northwood Cemetery. Edwin’s granddaughter, Margaret Griggs, in her memoirs suggested that by marrying Martha, daughter of George Richardson landlord of the Royal Oak in Terminus Rd in 1882 Edwin had enough money to open the Park Road premises, having previously traded in Albert Street.

The younger Edwin died just 5 years after his father on 18th May 1948. He is buried alone with a plain headstone in plot 31 grave 8610. He married Winifred Baker in 1912 and they had daughters, Barbara and Winifred and a son Colin Edward born in 1922.

Douglas Leigh married Dora Binder in 1921, they had two children Dorothy May and Eric Douglas. He died 6th January 1976 and is buried in plot 14 grave 5830. Also buried in the same plot are his wife who died in 1962, his son Eric who died in 1989 and Eric’s wife Grace who died in 2000. Dorothy married Bert Symons in 1945; he joined the firm becoming a partner. They are buried in plot 39 grave 11199a.

Pictured here is the last loaf baked at Rashley’s Princes Street Bake House on 10th June 1973. From left are Bill Saunders, Joe Spragg, Bert Symons, Eric Rashley, Edgar Read and Douglas Rashley. When this picture was taken Douglas had retired, his son Eric and son in law Bert Symons managed the shop and bakery. The Isle of Wight County Press on 16th June reported that a loyal customer bought 57 loaves of the last batch for his deep freeze.

David Jones Vice-President 3 The Maberly Graves Against the Eastern edge of Northwood Cemetery in Plot 1 are these three identical headstones; grave numbers 15, 16 & 17.

These are the graves of the Maberly family in Plot 1; Colonel William Leader Maberly (grave 15), his wife Catherine Charlotte (grave 17) and between them their only child William Anson Robert (grave 16).

William died in Cowes in 1867 aged 27. Inscribed on his headstone by his grieving parents is a desire to be buried either side of him. This wish was complied with, firstly Catherine (spelt with a K on her son’s headstone, with a C on her own) died in 1875, and then Colonel Maberly, dying in 1885, were buried either side of their beloved son.

I can find no family connection to Cowes and surmise that the son died in Cowes and was buried locally resulting in the two other graves, although they both died in London. The headstones and the full inscriptions on each headstone can be viewed on our website in the Burial Records www.friendsofnorthwoodcemetery.org.uk

Born in 1798 William Maberly joined the British Army at 17 as a Lieutenant in the 7th Foot Regiment, was promoted to Captain in the 9th Lancers, then to Major in 72nd Highlanders, before becoming Lieutenant-Colonel of the 96th Foot (1826-27) and the 76th Foot (1827-32).

He remained attached on half pay until his retirement from the army in 1881. His military career didn't prevent him becoming the MP for Westbury (1819-20), for Northampton (1820-30), for Shaftesbury (1831-32) and for Chatham (1832-34).

4 He also found time to serve as Surveyor-General of the Ordnance (1831-32), Clerk of the Ordnance (1833-34) and a Commissioner of Customs (1834-36).

In 1836 he was appointed as Joint Secretary to the General Post Office; during his time there he strongly opposed the ideas of fellow employee Rowland Hill who proposed a uniform postal rate which led to the, now universal, use of adhesive stamps.

While at the GPO one of his principal assistants had been internationally known novelist, Anthony Trollope, who described him in unflattering detail in his autobiography. He later caricatured Maberly as 'Sir Boreas Bodkin' in his novel 'Marion Fay'.

There is a small hamlet in Canada that was named Maberly in his honour in 1865; it was so named by his Canadian counterpart during his time at the GPO.

Catherine Maberly was born Hon. Catherine Charlotte Prittie in Ireland in 1805. She was a romantic novelist writing mainly historical fiction. She has 22 novels listed on 'Goodreads' with 1 rating. Titles include; 'The Love-Match', 'Emily or the Countess of Rosendale' and 'Leontine or the Court of Louis the Fifteenth'. She also wrote 'The Present State of Ireland and its Remedy' in response to the terrible Irish famines which started in 1845. Most of her novels are still available.

This likeness bears the signature K C Maberly and she was often referred to as Kate.

She would have been part of Victorian Society where at some stage she met Frederic Chopin who dedicated his 'Three Mazurkas Op. 56', published in 1844, to Catherine Maberly.

David Jones Vice-President

5 Northwood Church – Burial Records Northwood Cemetery is effectively, the burial ground for West Cowes, Northwood and Gurnard. It retains the name from its status prior to 1894, after which West Cowes became a Parish in its own right. Similarly, we have Northwood House, Northwood Park and Northwood Recreation Ground, all within the parish boundary of Cowes. Incidentally, Northwood Cemetery is today, still within the Parish of Northwood. (Ref: 'Parish Plan 2020'). To be correct, a churchyard or graveyard is always situated within the grounds of a church, whereas a cemetery is not. However, many cemeteries do have an on-site chapel.

Some, like Northwood Cemetery, have twin chapels; one initially being consecrated for the Anglican faith, the other for Non-Conformists. Today the East Chapel at Northwood, although consecrated Church of England, accepts all faiths.

Researchers are often confused between Northwood Cemetery and Northwood Churchyard/Graveyard. Northwood Graveyard is the burial ground within the walls of the 12th century Church of St John the Baptist, at the bottom of Chawton Lane in Northwood.

I am pleased to report that, with kind permission from the Church of St John the Baptist, we have recently uploaded the Burial Register and its associated map for burials within the churchyard, onto the Friends of Northwood Cemetery website. You can find it under the ‘records’ drop-down. We do hope you find this link useful.

Barry Sowerby Historian

Annual General Meeting – Postponement With the rising number of Covid cases on the Island, the Trustees considered it prudent to postpone the AGM for at least a couple of months. depending on how case numbers develop.

We apologise for this; however, it is our responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our attendees, and we felt we could not achieve this effectively for this event at the present time. We will advise you of a new date and the venue as soon as we are able, ie: whether it be at the Heritage Resource Centre, virtual (as last year) or online via Zoom.

6 Burial Fees in Northwood Cemetery We are often asked by visitors 'How much does it cost to be buried in Northwood Cemetery?' As you might expect, there is no one answer to that question, as a number of variables have to be considered.

First a burial space has to be purchased; strictly speaking it is a 'Grant of Exclusive Rights' to a grave space that is purchased, rather than the grave space itself, and this grant is for a period of 100 years from the date of purchase. This purchase can be made at any time, so people can choose their spot in readiness for when the time comes.

When the time does come there are other fees that are levied to cover the cost of the burial and its preparation; your Funeral Director can take you through these.

In the Natural Burial Ground a 'Right to Burial fee' is levied in lieu of the purchase of 'Exclusive Rights', as burials are on a sequential basis ie: it is not possible to purchase a specific grave space within the Natural Burial Ground. There are designated areas within the Natural Burial Ground where it is possible to inter or scatter cremated remains.

There are other miscellaneous items in 'Bereavement Services Fees List' for less common activities, but perhaps the most relevant to Northwood Cemetery are the use of the East Chapel for a funeral service and/or the purchase of one of the granite memorial plaques for attaching to the large Portland Stone by the Natural Burial Ground.

If you would like to erect a headstone or place a border there is a charge for these too, ranging from £114 for a vase to £357 for a flat kerb stone surrounding the grave space.

Please note that these are all fees charged by the Isle of Wight Council and do not include any charges made by funeral directors or stonemasons.

FEES PAYABLE TO THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL - April 2021 - March 2022 (excluding funeral director and stonemason fees)

PURCHASE Full grave space £852 Half grave space £471 Vase allocation £114 Kerb allocation £357

BURIALS Adult Mid-week £1,215 Cremated Remains Mid-week £335 Scattering of Ashes Mid-week £100

MISC Northwood Chapel fee £82 Granite plaque for Natural Burial Ground Memorial stone £237

If you are in any doubt, or would like more information please contact Shelley Peach, the Isle of Wight Council’s Cemeteries and Burials Officer, who is based at the Crematorium, . Her contact details are: Tel: 01983 882288 Email: [email protected] 7 Events and Fundraising On Friday 4th June we held our first themed Coffee Morning since the lockdown, together with a Plant Sale. It was a pleasure to see the return of so many of our regulars who were delighted to be able to talk to each other face to face again.

We were lucky with the weather on 2nd July when we attracted over 30 visitors to our Book Sale, again an enjoyable outdoor event.

Our sincere thanks to all those who have attended these events as we managed to raise over £400 towards the cost of restoring the Civilian War Grave and £140 from the Book Sale which goes toward the Friends of Northwood Cemetery general funds.

Unfortunately, I tripped and fell at home recently and broke my upper left arm which has severely curtailed my activities of late, but I hope to meet up with you all again at the Summer Tombola on Friday 6th August.

These are the all-important dates for your diary:

6th August Summer Tombola 3rd September Hobbies and Crafts 1st October Puzzles and Pastimes 5th November Cards and Gifts (Including this year’s exclusive Christmas Cards!)

It was good to see so many of you again and a pleasure to see several new faces as well, so please come and support us, and bring along a friend or two, you will all be most welcome.

If you would like to donate suitable items for sale at later events, please contact me by email at: [email protected] or by phone on 01983 281597

Stella Watling Fund Raising Officer

Jo Mckinnie Editor

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