Following the verdict of the jury of ‘Suicide from drowning, while temporarily insane’ upon Sarah Richens, the Coroner’s attention turned to the pressing matter of the discourteously way in which he and the jury had been treated at the cemetery.
At the close of the inquest the coroner made some comments on how the jury and himself had been treated. When they arrived at the cemetery gates to go and view the body, about 4.45, they found the gates locked at the Ashford Road entrance. The police constable who was with them displayed some agility by climbing over the high iron gates and going down to the caretaker’s house and obtaining the keys.
Sergt. Everett informed the Coroner and jury that the caretaker of the cemetery was warned to have the gates open, as the inquest would be held at 4.30 p.m.
The Coroner asked the representatives of the Press to take notice of the facts, as the District Council ought to know that the Coroner and jury had been treated discourteously by having the gates locked against them.
A Juryman: I think they might also provide a light in the mortuary.
The Coroner: Yes, I think so too. We had no light whatever beyond a lighted match which one of the jurymen held.
The enquiry then closed.
The Swindon Advertiser, Friday, November 17, 1899.
The mortuary building, Chapel and Radnor Street Cemetery caretakers lodge were designed by popular local architect W.H. Read.
Radnor Street Cemetery 
Very interesting Frances. Obviously running an electric supply or was it gas in those days, must have been too costly for the Council and did you find out why the gates were locked at that time. I assume it was 4.45 in the afternoon?
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