5th March 1845
Yes, two anniversaries for the price of one!
This anniversary is so important that it will be the basis for an article next month. Suffice to say that I’m just giving you all a ‘heads up.’
This date was the first meeting of some interested individuals who met up with the idea of founding a General Cemetery Company. From this meeting a provisional committee was formed and the rest, as they say, is history. As an anniversary its pretty special
A long, interesting life
The Company had a long life over an eventful period of time. From its beginnings in the early years of Queen Victoria’s reign when the waltz was deemed quite risqué. Up to when its final board meeting took place in 1972. Just about then David Bowie was performing Ziggy Stardust on stage. During which he regularly simulated performing a ‘sex act’ upon Mick Ronson. My, how times do change! I doubt if Queen Victoria would have been amused.
The cemetery saw the greatest epidemic that Hull ever suffered. The Cholera epidemic of 1849 makes Covid look like a bout of hay-fever. It also witnessed the greatest level of destruction that the city ever suffered. This of course was the bombing during the Second World War. Indeed the cemetery too suffered in its own way at this time. Compartments 71 and 72 were bombed. Accidentally one hopes otherwise the German bombers definitely needed further training. The cemetery lodge was damaged too at this time although that was through shrapnel from AA guns.
Eventually, as we know, the Cemetery Company finally succumbed. The cemetery though continued in a different way. It is now an historic and cultural resource for the city. It also is a fascinating piece of urban ‘woodland’ with a large variety of birds and small wildlife.
The cemetery has had a full life. Long may it continue.
Pete Lowden is a member of the Friends of Hull General Cemetery committee which is committed to reclaiming the cemetery and returning it back to a community resource.