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A New Burial Ground For Knighton 1879

Wellington Journal - 22nd June 1878

THE PROPOSED CEMETERY. On Friday, the 14th inst., a meeting, convened for the purpose of taking the opinions of the inhabitants of this the subject of whether it was desirable to form a burial ground and close the existing parish churchyard, was held at Mr. Collins's Office, at four p.m. The following ratepayers and others were present, viz. :-

Sir Richard Green-Price, Bart

Rev. M. H. Ricketts (vicar of Knighton)

I. D. Rutter (high sheriff of Knighton)

J. Wilson

D. J. Darlington

C. J. Covernton

W. Bowen

E. R. Weyman

R. T. Hamer

G. J. Harding

C. P. Peters

F. Buckley

W. J. Lewis

R, Langford

W. A. Collins (hon. sec. to the Church committee)

S. Baldwin

W. Banks

W. O. Banks

G. Green

E. Probert

A. J. Wise

J. Morris,

E. Williams

C. Langford

E. Whatmougb

T. Lloyd

S. Ward

G. Edwards

R. R. Deacon

J. H. Wood.

The Rev. M. H. Ricketts occupied the chair.

 

The Chairman read the notice convening the meeting, and stated that no one on looking over the parish churchyard could  say that it was right or decent to continue burying in a place where the graves were already overcrowded. Difficulties sometimes occurred between the Clergy and the Nonconformists on the question of burial, and it was mach better that each denomination should have their own place of burial

 

Sir Richard Green-Price proposed that a burial-ground be formed for Knighton, according to certain Acts of Parliament referred to by him, and in doing so remarked that the matter could not be delayed longer. Knighton was well known for its unanimity, and be hoped it would long continue so. He thought it would be better for the Church people and Nonconformists to come to some compromise, in order to save an election for the Burial Board. There was no doubt the Church of England was the 'strongest in Knighton, and in case of an election would probably return more members than the Nonconformists. He thought the matter could be arranged between them without going to a poll.

 

Mr. Rutter wished the Acts referred to in Sir Richard Green-Price's resolution to be read over, as for his part he did not like to adopt things in the dark.

       The Chairman said it would take all the evening to read the different Acts of Parliament over; they were not obliged to adopt all the rules set forth in the different Acts of Parliament.

       Mr. Rutter also took exception to Sir Richard Green-Price's closing remarks, and said that he thought the Nonconformists were entitled to an equal representation on the Burial Board as the Church.

       Sir Richard Green-Price remarked that Mr. Rutter must have misunderstood his remarks. He did not say that the Church was entitled to more members on the Board than the Nonconformists. He simply expressed his opinion that the Church of England was stronger than the Nonconformists in Knighton.

 

The difficulty as to the Acts of Parliament was finally arranged by the resolution being altered to read as fallows :— " That a burial ground should be provided for the parish of Knighton."

       The resolution being then simplified, was seconded by Hr. Ratter.

 

Mr. Covernton (medical officer of health for Knighton) stated that his reports strongly condemned the present churchyard, and no doubt if they had not moved them-selves the Secretary of State would have ordered it to be closed.

       Mr. Deacon thought some farther information should be given them by the promoters.

       The Chairman said he had no scheme of his own, and all details must be settled by the Board.

 

The resolution previously proposed by Sir Richard Green-Price, and seconded by Mr. Rutter, was then put to the meeting and carried with but one dissentient.

 

The Chairman said the next thing to be done was to appoint a Burial Board consisting of not lean than three or more than nine members, or else allow the present local Board to perform the duties.

       Mr. Samuel Baldwin proposed that an independent Board be established in preference to the Local Board.

       Mr Buckley seconded the resolution, which was carried.

 

The Chairman, in answer to some questions put to him by Mr. Deacon, said that the late vicar, Mr. Brown, told him this would be one of the first duties he would have to perform. He (the chairman) should be sorry if any difficulties should arise to the burial of any Nonconformists or others, but he had pledged himself to observe the laws of the Church, and his conscience would not allow him to read the burial service over any unbaptised person.

 

It was ultimately decided that the meeting proceed at once to the election of a Burial Board, and the two church-wardens, with Messrs. Hamer, Rutter, Deacon, and Williams were requested to choose nine persons to be nominated as members of the Board.

 

The following gentlemen were nominated and elected by the meeting, viz.:—

On behalf of the Church —Messrs, Thomas Watson, R. T. Hamer, C. J. Covernton, William Banks and Rev. H. M. Ricketts.

On behalf of the Nonconformists —Messrs William Murdoch, I. D. Rutter, John Wilson, and E. H. Deacon.

 

A vote of thanks to the chairman was proposed by Sir Richard Green-Price, and seconded by Mr. Rutter, which brought the meeting to a close.

 

Hereford Times - 26th October 1878

PROPOSED CEMETERY. - A meeting of the ratepayers of this parish was held at the Police Court on Friday, the 18th instant, to hear what steps had been taken by the Burial Board to procure suitable ground for the Cemetery; and to confirm the decision of the Board, provided the site selected was approved of.

 

The chair was taken by the Rev. M. H. Rickets, vicar of the parish, who was supported by Sir Richard Green-Price, Bart. Mr I. D. Rutter, and Mr. C. J. Covernton.

 

The attendance was good; and amongst those present were -  Messrs John Wilson, William Bowen, R.T. Hamer, William Murdock, G. J. Harding, Edwin Whatmough, Richard Langford, Edward Williams, J. H. Wood, William Baldwin, and W. J. Lewis.

The Chairman explained the business to be transacted, and stated that the Board, after careful consideration, had decided to purchase a piece of land from Sir Richard Green-Price, known as "The Crabtree Orchard," for the sum of £600, and £25 for right of way on the National School side - the timber being reserved for the vendor. It was now for the parish to sanction the purchase at the above price or not.

 

W.A. Collins read the minutes of the several meetings held since August last, from which it appeared that the Board had obtained the price of several fields near the town, through their Clerk, and that the above piece of ground was found to be the most suitable.

 

Mr. Brown proposed that the above site be adopted subject to approval of the Secretary of State.

 

Mr. Hamer wished to know if Sir Richard Green-Price would take £5 for the timber, to which he agreed; and it was decided that the resolution should be amended accordingly. Mr. Murdock seconded Mr. Bowen's resolution as amended.

 

Mr. William Baldwin requested to know the acreage of the field which was given as 1 acre, 3 rods, 22 perches. Some remarks were made as to the adjoining property being damaged by the proposed Cemetery being so near; but Mr. Covernton stated that the bed was a sandy one and that if the adjacent property was at all affected, the Government Inspector would not give his sanction to the site.

 

Several ratepayers considered it might have a prejudicial effect on the river Teme; and Mr. Rutter stated that his own private feelings were against the site, but he had given his consent as one of the owners of property within 100 yards of the Cemetery, because he did not wish to cause any unpleasantness; at the same time, he must say that, as a Sanitary measure, he considered it wrong; he hoped that anyone present who objected to the site would speak out at once, or "for ever hold his peace."

 

The Chairman spoke in eulogistic terms of the gentlemanly manner in which Mr. Rutter had behaved, in waiving his own veto, when his opinions were apposed to the ground selected. The resolution was then put to the meeting, and it was carried without a dissentient.

 

Sir Richard Green-Price said that he wished to say a few words before leaving, and remarked that the site selected was not one of those offered by him to the Board, and in fact was sorry to part with it, because a portion of the Norton Manor Estate lay all around it and was very compact at that place; the situation was picturesque and charming - well wooded and possessing features of no ordinary character. His grandfather contemplated building a mansion on  this very spot; and he need scarcely say it was much prized by the family; but the Board had selected this site, and he must bow to their decision.. He congratulated them on their choice and hoped they would beautify and improve the grounds by planting evergreens and ornamental trees, so that it would present a good appearance, and add to the beauty of the neighbourhood. He recommended to enclose it with a sunk fence, and by that means  the ground would look attractive and beautiful from the railway and other parts.

 

Sir Richard complimented Mr. Rutter on the handsome manner in which he behaved by putting away his own personal feelings, and said it gave him great pleasure to see the amicable way with which the proceedings had terminated, and hoped that any unpleasantness which had arisen would be forgotten. In conclusion he proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman; and Mr. Rutter seconded the proposition, with a few suitable remarks.

 

South Wales Daily News - 12th December 1878

NEW CEMETERY. - The parish churchyard is to be closed by the end of June 1879. The new cemetery will be ready by this time, if not before.

 

Wellington Journal - 9th August 1879

BURIAL BOARD.—A meeting of the Knighton Burial Board was held on Friday week at Mr. Collins's office, when there were present —Rev. M. H. Ricketts (in the chair),: Messrs. I. D. Rutter,  John Wilson, J, M. Rocke, E. H. Deacon, R. Hamar, William Murdock, and William Banks. After several items of minor importance were arranged, the Chairman brought before the meeting the question of consecrating the Church portion of the Cemetery. —It was proposed by Mr. Richard Hamar, "That the clerk be instructed to apply to the Bishop for consecration of the Church portion of the Cemetery, and that the Board undertake to pay the costs." --The motion was seconded by Mr. J.M. Rocke. — Mr. E. H. Deacon then proposed as an amendment, "That the consecration of the Church of England portion of the Cemetery be left in the hands of the members of that Church to carry out, and that it be not an act of the Board." — Mr. J. Wilson seconded the amendment.—A very warm discussion took place, the Nonconformists objecting to pay the fees for consecration on conscientious grounds. There voted for the amendment—I. D. Rutter, E. H. Deacon, W. Murdock, and J. Wilson;  for the resolution - The Chairman, W. Banks, J. M. Rocke, and R. Hamer.— As the votes were equal the chairman gave his casting vote in favour of the resolution, which was accordingly carried.

 

Eddowes's Journal - 24th September 1879

CONSECRATION OF THE CEMETERY.—The consecration of the Church of England portion of the Cemetery took place on Tuesday in last week. It is undoubtedly a great improvement to the town, and is pleasingly situated at the west of the church, and formed part of the orchard called Crab Tree Ground, which was in the occupation of Mr. I. D. Rutter, the property of Sir Richard Green Price, Bart. The ground, to which there are two entrances, has been levelled with sward, and walks made; a stone wall having been built round it. The following are more minute details of the work The boundary wall is substantially built—block in coarse work, covered with Grinshill stone coping. There are two approaches, one from Church-street and another from Knucklas-road, and a bier at the western entrance. Lych gates of Gothic pattern, covered with red and blue tiles ornamented.

 

 

Church Street or East Gate

 

Knucklas-road or West Gate

 

The cost of the land was                                                £625

Boundary wall, levelling ground, and making walks,      £450

Contracting two lych gates, with cost of iron gates.       £150

Extras and incidentals.                                                     £75

                                                                                     ---------

Total cost.                                                                    £1,300.

 

The Cemetery is equally divided between the Church and Nonconformists. The work was carried out in a satisfactory manner by the contractors, Messrs. Williams and Jones, masons, of Knighton, the architect being Mr. Thomas Gough, surveyor to the Burial Board. Divine service was held in the church at 2-30 p m., the prayers being intoned by the Rev. L. W. Richings. B.A., curate of Knighton; the first lesson was read by the Rev. M. H. Ricketts, M.A., vicar of Knighton. and the second lesson by the Rev. W. M. Rowlands, vicar of Bishop's Castle. The Lord Bishop of Hereford then delivered a sermon, taking as his text "And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a burying place by the sons of Heth" (Genesis xxiii, 20).

       His Lordship fully explained the Church's meaning of the service of consecration, and pointed out the sacred character of it. The portion of the ground which he was about to consecrate to God's service would, he said. not differ in its nature from the unconsecrated portion. It made no difference to the soil, but it was a dedication of the land to God for the burial of His people.

        At the close of the sermon. the choir, under the leadership of the Rev. George Green, the Bishop's chaplain (bearing the pastoral staff), the Bishop, twelve clergymen, and the congregation went in procession to the Church-street gate of the Cemetery, where a petition, stamped with the seal of the Burial Board and signed by the vicar. churchwardens, sidemen, and parishioners, and praying his lordship to consecrate a portion of the Cemetery. was duly presented to the right rev. prelate by Messrs. C. J. Covernton and F. Buckley, the churchwardens. The Bishop replied "I shall have great pleasure in complying with the prayer of this petition, and shall proceed at once to consecrate the ground." The procession then proceeded round the ground, repeating the 49th and 115th Psalms. On the Bishop arriving at the gate, the sentence of consecration was read in the usual manner and signed by the Bishop, after which the choir sang the hymn commencing "Great God, what do I see and hear !" and after another prayer, the Bishop, in the most impressive manner, pronounced the benediction. Among the leading families of the neighbourhood present were:-

 

Sir Richard and Lady Green-Price,

Captain and Mrs. Otway (Presteigne),

Mrs. and Miss Staunton (Brampton Brian).

Mrs. and Miss Green (Leintwardine),

Miss Green (Knighton),

Mrs. and Miss Rogers (Stanage Castle),

Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Bannerman,

Mrs. Ricketts,

Mrs. Dodd,

Miss Covernton,

Mrs. Dansey,

Mrs. C. P. Peters,

Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Brown,

Mrs. and Miss Bowles (Stanage),

Mr. I. D. Rutter,

Mrs. and Miss E. L. Davies.

 

The following clergymen were present independently of those whose  names appear above::

 

The Revs. C. Burroughs (curate of Clun),

J. H. Brown (rector of Bedstone).

K J. Green (vicar of Leintwardine),

W. W. Griffiths (rector of Heyhop),

C. Harrison (rector of Llangunllo),

J. R. N. Kinchant (rector of Llanfair Waterdine),

W. J. Jackson (warden of Trinity Hospital. Clun),

J. J. Peglar (vicar of Stowe),

F. Sheffield (rector of Brampton Brian).

 

The date of the end of June 1879, for closing the churchyard for burials was out by four months, the first burial took place on Tuesday 14th October 1879.

 

The first person to be buried in the cemetery was Edmund Townsend.

 

Wellington Journal 18 October 1879

SUDDEN DEATH - A remarkable instance of the uncertainty of life occurred at Knighton Railway Station on Saturday morning last. Edward Townsend was on the line talking to a fellow-workman named Lee, and seemed in his usual health, when he (Townsend) suddenly fell down and died. Deceased was a very active man, and had been in the employ of the London and North Western Company at Knighton for several years as porter and pointsman. Deceased was a married man, about 45 years of age, and had served in the army in India. Great sympathy is felt for his widow, whom he leaves with one son. Mr. H. O. Brown, surgeon, who had attended deceased a short time ago, states that he suffered from heart disease. He is the first interred in the new cemetery.

 

Edmund and Sarah Ann (nee Stevens), his wife, had 2 children, the eldest Edwin George was born in 1861. He died aged 14 years in March 1875 in Knighton. Their second son was Henry Edmund born in 1863.

 

Although, the papers name him as Edward, his actual name was Edmund.

 

 

After Edmunds death Sarah returned to her parents at Longparish, Andover, in  Hampshire. Their second son Henry Edmund died there in 1881 aged just 18. Sarah Ann married William Couzens in 1892.  Sarah died in 1909.

 

Edmunds grave lies beneath this tree in Knighton cemetery. His grave reference is Row O, Plot 8.

 

Over the years several others have also been laid to rest in this plot.

 

I don't usually add my own personal information to this site, but, I had a sister who was 'Born Asleep' on 18th November 1967. She is one of those who is also buried in the same grave as Edmund Townsend.

 

Radnorshire Advertiser - 9th May 1884

Knighton -- Burial Board - This Board held its monthly meeting on Tuesday last. Amongst other business the following resolution was passed: "It having come to the knowledge of the Board that persons were in the habit of taking dogs in the cemetery, it was resolved that the first person found so offending should be prosecuted."

 

Leominster News - 7th November 1884

Knighton -- Burial Board, -- The monthly meeting of this Board was held on Tuesday. Amongst other business the following important resolution was unanimously passed. With a view to preventing the Cemetery being used as a public thoroughfare, and building materials, burdens of wood etc. being taken through. It was resolved that the gates be alternately locked for a week at a time, Sunday excepted, the gates near the Church one week, the gates near the school the following week.

 

Leominster News - 16th July 1886

KNIGHTON LOCAL BOARD.

The Clerk stated he had been requested to suggest on behalf of the Chairman (who was absent), that permission should be granted to the Burial Board to convey the water into the cemetery for the purpose of watering the flowers there. - Resolved that the matter be brought before the next meeting.

 

Shrewsbury Chronicle - 13th August 1886

KNIGHTON LOCAL BOARD.

Mr Rutter suggested that permission should be given the Burial Board to convey the water into the cemetery for the purpose of watering the flowers there. It was decided to consider the question early next spring.

 

Eddowes's Journal - 16th February 1887

KNIGHTON LOCAL BOARD.

With reference to permission being given to the Burial Board to convey water into the cemetery, as suggested by Mr Rutter in August last, when the consideration of the  question was postponed, the Board decided they could not permit the water to be taken there.

 

Eddowes's Journal - 18th April 1888

KNIGHTON LOCAL BOARD.

Cemetery Water Supply: Mr Rutter represented the desirability of permitting the Burial Board to convey water into the cemetery, for the purpose of watering the plants. It was resolved to grant permission, on the understanding that the tap be fixed in the bier-house, and used only by the Sexton.

 

Leominster News - 11th May 1888

KNIGHTON LOCAL BOARD.

The Clerk stated that the Burial Board were much obliged for the privilege of conveying water into the cemetery, but as there were difficulties in the way of putting the tap in the bier-house they hoped consent would be given it its being put outside in a wooden case with lock and key. The Board agreed to this.

 

Shrewsbury Chronicle - 8th  June 1888

KNIGHTON, BURIAL BOARD. The monthly meeting of this Board was held on Tuesday, 5th inst. Amongst other business the Clerk reported that a person had been detected getting over the Cemetery wall. Legal proceedings had been taken, and the damages claimed and costs paid before going into Court. The Board ordered that proceedings be taken against anyone getting over either of the gates or the wall, or in any way infringing the Cemetery regulations..

 

At the Local Board meeting in July 1900, Mr Williams made a motion to revise the cemetery fees. This was with regard to the increase in the charge for interment of non-parishioners. This resulted in the cost of burial of non-parishioners being fixed at £2 17s., and the purchase of a grave space at £5 10s., the latter charge being an increase of £1 1s.

 

Brecon and Radnor Express - 22nd July 1897

THE TRADE NAMES ON TOMBSTONES.  Mr William James, in accordance with notice, rose to bring forward his motion as to the names of the sculptors on tombstones. He said there seemed to be no regulation as to the size and position of the lettering. If the friends who had to pay did not take the matter up, they as a Council should not let the monuments to the dead be made a place of advertisement.  He did not want to interfere with the tradesmen or restrict any sensible notification, but common sense must tell the makers that they should not put their names in large letters in front of the stones. It would not be too much to ask that they should state where and what size of letters they intended to put their names in before the designs were passed. If the Board had power it should direct the names to be put on one side of the monument, and to be in not more than a half-inch letter.

       Mr Roberts suggested that the mason should give in the place and size of the letter when he submitted the plans.

Mr James said that was all he wanted—to avoid the makers' names being put in large letters on the front of the stones. Mr Roberts' suggestion would quite meet his views in the matter.

Brecon and Radnor Express - 16th September 1897

KNIGHTON BURIAL BOARD

THE QUESTION OF THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE SEXTON.

A meeting of this Board was held at the close of the unitary business of the Urban Council on Wednesday, Mr E. Oldbury being in the chair.

THE CARETAKING OF THE CEMETERY.

                Mr Allcock, who had given notice to raise the question of the employment and payment of the sexton, said he had heard it said that he was going to attack the man's wages, but he had nothing against the man or the wages he received.  But there ought to be some rules different to what there were at present in force with reference to the employment of the sexton now under the control of the Council. He thought the person in charge should be under the supervision of the Council's surveyor.

                The Chairman: I am afraid that cannot be done under the Burial Boards' Act. The Surveyor has no control of the sexton in any way.

                Mr Allcock: Who has control of him then?

                 The Chairman: It is generally done by the Clerk of the Burial Board.

                The Clerk said this had always been the case.

                Mr Allcock, continuing, said the person was paid so much for the position of overlooker. He did not know why he should be allowed so much to overhaul his own work, and to say it was done right.

                The Chairman: He is only paid for interments and actual work done. He is paid £3 per year for general supervision and opening and shutting the gates.

                Mr .Allcock, continuing, said the man could not go to work without opening the gates. He thought provision was wade in other parts for payment for that. It seemed to him a waste of money to pay a man to overlook his own work. He did not see, either, why they should pay for Sunday work. It ought to be the policeman's duty to look after that. They looked after the private property in the town without being paid for it. In case of any sale of sand or grass the money should be paid over to the Chairman of the Council, and he thought the public should be given to understand that the sexton had no authority to collect any special fee for looking after graves unless some special arrangement was made. He was paid to keep the Cemetery in order, and it was part of his work to keep the graves in good repair; but the man went to people's houses and said he had called for the money for looking after the graves. He thought the money for grave-digging should be paid to the man who did it. Now so much was allowed the sexton for each interment, and he got someone else to do the work at a less cost. It was very strange to allow a man to work there, make his own time sheet up. and give no account of what he had done. The Cemetery was in good order he knew, but they paid a good price to keep it thus. He suggested that some rules should be drawn up so that they might know what was done. It was not right to engage a man and not know what he did. He wished the sexton to have a fair wage for his work, but thought it more satisfactory if proper rules were drawn up.

                The Chairman said it would have been much better if Mr Allcock had brought these things forward when the new rules were made, especially as he was on that committee. He repeated that the Council had no power to authorise the surveyor to superintend the work, neither could they instruct the police to look after the Cemetery unless they were paid for it. They had to act in accordance with the Burials Board Act. With regard to the allowance of £3 for superintendence, this was only a little over  1s. per week, which meant 2d. per day for opening and closing the gates. That was only a small remuneration after all.

                Mr Allcock: It is not put that way in the book.

                The Chairman said he was trying to explain matters, and (continuing) said damage was done in the Cemetery some 10 or 12 years ago, and in consequence a resolution was passed to have the sexton in attendance at the Cemetery. The man had since been in attendance on certain hours of the day during the summer months, for which he was paid a certain sum. He did not think he was overpaid for that.

                Mr Allcock: I did not say he was overpaid.

                Mr Tudge: The complaint is that he goes round collecting Christmas boxes.

                Mr Allcock: I did not say that.

                Mr Clee said the man ought to have a time sheet to fill in what he did. He had something to say, but it was gone too late to discuss the matter that night.

                The Chairman thought people asked the sexton to look after graves for them, and he had a perfect right to make a little charge for this, but he had no right to make any other collection.

                Mr Allcock: Have we any power to ask for tenders for the whole work for a year?  This would be more satisfactory.

                 The Chairman: Before that could be done minutes of the Burial Board must be rescinded.

                Mr Allcock: If that is necessary it must be done. They could pass one resolution rescinding all that was necessary.

                 The Chairman thought everybody was satisfied with the management of the Cemetery.

                Mr Clee said he had heard lots of complaints.

                Mr Williams: I have never heard any at all.

                Mr Lote thought it best to leave things go on as at present.

                In reply to questions the Clerk said the sexton received last year £21 15s. for day labour, £3 in addition, £6 10s. for Sundays, and interments, according to scale.

                Mr Allcock: He drew £40 from the Board last year. Besides they had to pay for tools and other things. They did not really know what the Cemetery cost them.

                 The Chairman: Oh yes, we know every item of expenditure.

                Mr Roberts (after looking through the book): £40 was all he had last year for everything including interments.

                The Chairman said the man was not overpaid, and was fully entitled to all that be received from the Board. As long as the man gave satisfaction, it would be a pity to interfere. Besides Price was now an old man, and could not be expected to do the work much longer.

                Mr Williams: I propose the matter be left as it is.

                Mr Roberts said he seconded with pleasure. Mr Allcock had not made out any case whatever. There was no case against the man or against the management of the Cemetery, and it had not even been proved that the Sexton was overpaid.

                Mr Allcock: I did not say he was.

                Mr Clee: That is not the question before the Board either.

                Mr Roberts said these interruptions were meant to throw him in the points he was referring to.  He repeated that Mr Allcock had failed to prove his case, and referring to the allegation that the sexton made a profit out of the interments, Mr Roberts maintained that this was quite fair because the sexton was the man who was responsible to the Board. The gifts at Christmas were voluntary gifts.  Perhaps some people toll him to look after graves and then forgot all about it. Price being an old man and not very shy, gave them a reminder. At Knighton  they were expected to give Christmas boxes for all sorts of thing, Price did the work at the Cemetery thoroughly well. He did work he was not obliged to, by looking after the graves of poor people, which if he did not do the Cemetery would be most unsightly. Mr Allcock had failed to prove that the cost of the management of the Cemetery was excessive.

                Mr Clee said they had had two different arguments altogether. Mr Allcock's argument was that the ratepayers had a right to know how the ratepayers money was spent, nothing about Price's salary at all. He was not in favour of cutting men's wages down, but the ratepayers had a right to know how the money was spent.

                 The Clerk: The law gives power for the ratepayers to come and examine the accounts of the Burial Board.

                Mr Allcock said Mr Roberts had referred to things he had never thought of. Whether Price got much or little was not the point, but they ought to know what he was to have, and what he was to do. The men on the streets received a standing wage, and they would not think of employing any other man on similar terms to the sexton. What was Price to do if he did not look after the graves of the poor?  What was he paid for?  He had said nothing against Price or his work, but wanted to know something definite as to what the Cemetery cost. He called it sweating if a man got 6s. for a job. and got someone else to do it for 2s. 6d.

                The Chairman said part of the sexton's duty was to shear and clip up the paupers' graves. and he thought the Man did justice to his work. He should oppose letting of the work by tender as long as he sat there. The Cemetery was a dear place to many.

                Mr Williams: It would be a disgrace to the town to let the work by tender.

                After further discussion Mr Allcock withdrew this proposal, and Mr Clee proposed that the sexton should keep a time sheet, stating the hours he was engaged and the nature of the work done. Mr Allcock seconded, and this was agreed to.  Mr Williams and Mr Roberts consenting to it being added to their proposal.

 

Shrewsbury Chronicle 15 June 1906

Knighton Urban Council - Mr. Williams proposed, and it was agreed that the two gates of the Cemetery be left unlocked every day from the usual hour in the morning until light-up time at night, for a period of two months, as a trial. At present only one gate is unlocked on week-days, and this is found very inconvenient to residents and others who are in the town for short periods on certain days.

Kington Times -19th August 1944

In regard to the proposed extension to the cemetery, the Clerk said he had written the inhabitants of 51 houses situate within 100 yards of the proposed cemetery extension, and asked for objections (if any). Seventy-seven persons (i.e., 85.6 per cent.) consented to the proposal and 13 objected. Mr. Fowler had had 10 holes bored in the land but had found no water. The proposed extension was larger than the present cemetery and it was calculated that at the present burial rate it would serve the town as a cemetery for 150 years. It was stated in discussion that the objectors did not understand that they could only object to the extension and not the cost of the land or Vicarage. The Clerk was asked to write to the objectors and explain the matter more fully, also to ask the representative body to price the land, so as to report to the next meeting. It was stated that the Council would at a later date decide what use they would make of the Vicarage.

 

Kington Times - 24th February 1945

A letter was received from the Committee stating that the Council's offer for the proposed extension to the cemetery had been recommended to the proper authority for acceptance.

 

Kington Times - 15th September 1945

The proposed extension of the cemetery by the acquisition of the Vicarage and grounds was considered. It was decided that the Vicarage would be used for Council purposes, and that the Council apply for a loan for £3.500 to cover all costs.

 

Kington Times - 19th January 1946

Considerable discussion took place on the proposed cemetery extension by the purchase of the Vicarage grounds, consequent on a letter from the Welsh Board of Health intimating that the Council could not use the grounds for that purpose so long as anyone objected within the 100 yard dwelling radius. After some discussion, Mr. Prince's proposal that the Council proceed to complete the purchase was carried by 8 votes to 4.

 

Kington Times - 21st September 1946

When Knighton Urban Council met last week it was  stated that the Vicarage and grounds would become the property of the Council on September 30th. Some of the grounds and buildings would be available for occupation by the Council on that date, but the vicarage itself would be leased to the representative body for three years, and for a further 12 months if required. It was not thought there would be any difficulty in providing a suitable house for the Vicar.

 

Water
IMG_6111.jpg

 

An advert for memorials and grave cleaning service late 1960's early 1970's

(reproduced with the kind permission of Paula Middleton nee Gwyther)

 

 

This cemetery has now become full. A new cemetery has been opened on the Presteigne road leading out of Knighton. The above cemetery is now locally known as the old cemetery

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