Churchyard Jottings

Philip Hunt

I am sure everyone will agree that the experimental planting of wild flower seeds along the verge in Derby Road last Autumn, and again in the Spring, has produced a wonderful display of colour including oxeye daisies, poppies and cornflowers. (See photos on p.34). The area set aside in the main churchyard has produced less colour but some interesting grasses provide a habitat for wildlife. Those involved and the team from The Den should be very pleased with the result.

At long last, there appears to have been some progress on the long awaited restoration of the grave of former Rector, the Revd Sanders Etheridge. Quarried stone, meeting the required quality standard, has now been sourced and the first batch arrived in the stonemason’s yard a couple of weeks ago. The large section required for the Celtic cross was being despatched as a separate consignment. I will endeavour to ensure that contact is maintained.

Two of the health and safety signs displayed in the main churchyard have been damaged - whether deliberately or accidentally is not clear. Revd Chris has the pattern and has kindly offered to take this in hand. Fortunately, incidences of minor vandalism are rare compared with a spate a couple of years or so ago. With little more to report, largely because of taking two holidays within six weeks, perhaps I should dig once again into my modest archive of previous enquiries reflecting the lives of those at rest in our churchyards. Haslemere and its environs were, towards the end of the nineteenth century, increasingly seen as an attractive and, furthermore, healthy place to live. The rebuilding of St Bartholomew’s in 1870/71 was driven by the needs of a growing population which had continued to grow since the arrival of the railway in 1859.

One such notable who made Haslemere his home was Sir Archibald Geikie who is buried in Derby Road churchyard. The ashes of his daughters are also interred in his grave. Geikie was a founder and first Chairman of the Haslemere Museum, a distinguished geologist and former President of the Royal Society. At the time of a previous enquiry, in August 2018, the grave was in good condition having been spruced up a few years earlier by representatives from the Museum. The attached photographs show this to good effect. The grave now is in less than pristine condition and in danger of being dwarfed by rhododendron and other species, as shown in the recent photo. Derby Road churchyard is something of a problem in that it easily becomes overwhelmed by brambles. How to best manage this, along with Waverley’s contractor, is something which must be addressed. It is unacceptable if there is not proper access to graves.

Sir Archibald Geikie was born on 28 December 1835 in Edinburgh. He became the foremost advocate of the fluvial (sediments deposited by a stream or river) theories of erosion. In 1855 Geikie was appointed to the Geological Survey of Great Britain and ten years later he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society. In 1867 he became Director of the separate Geological Survey of Scotland followed, in 1882, by his appointment as Director General of the Geological Survey of the United Kingdom. He was a prolific author publishing over 200 scientific papers, survey memoirs, books and articles and lectured widely all over the world. He was knighted in 1891. He served as President of the Royal Society from 1908 to 1913 when, newly appointed to the Order of Merit, he retired to Haslemere. He lived at ‘Shepherds Down’ in Hill Road in a house designed by his wife and daughters.

Following the death of Sir Jonathan Hutchinson, the founder of Haslemere Museum, Sir Archibald agreed to head up the management committee and start fund raising. Under his leadership the museum prospered and moved to the premises it occupies today. In December 2007 the Haslemere Society erected its first blue plaque at Shepherds Down in his memory. His significant collection at the Museum relates to hundreds of items of correspondence, field notebooks, photographs, watercolours, personal ephemera and geological specimens. He died on 10 November 1924.

ENROL IN THE u3a – THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

The Haslemere u3a is for people who are either retired from fulltime employment, semi- retired or could be of interest to those working from home. Age is immaterial but a zest for life is - and the u3a provides an opportunity to enjoy favourite hobbies, create new interests and meet like-minded people.

Staying active, socializing, learning new skills and subjects and having fun in the so-called Third Age of life, are the basic aims of the u3a, as well as promoting physical and mental health through a veritable cornucopia of classes and activities.

An independent charity, the u3a was founded in 1995 and is based at the iconic Haslemere Hall, where thought provoking monthly talks are hosted, to which all are welcome free of charge, including non-members.

The Haslemere u3a has over 700 members and over 50 interest groups providing a wide range of stimulating activities from walks, tennis, bowling, pétanque, curling and cycling –both gentle and challenging – to bridge, book clubs, language groups, cookery classes, dancing, bird watching, and so much more. There are also various lunch clubs and wine appreciation classes which are highly popular.

Enrolment will take place on Monday 4th September at Haslemere Hall from 11.00am— 1.00 pm and membership costs just £10.00 per annum. Class attendance fees are also minimal –tennis, for instance, is just £1.50 per two-hour session and many groups are free of charge! For more information, please go to the u3a website – u3asites.org.uk/haslemere