A propeller, a plaque and a piece of artwork

This year we have welcomed some significant additions to the cemetery chapel.

August saw the installation of the Airspeed Oxford propeller once mounted on the front of the RAFA Club in Belle Vue Road.

Then in November we were the proud recipients of another war memorial. Scout leader Steve Milner has placed in our safe keeping a plaque dedicated to the North Wilts Boy Scouts Association. The Roll of Honour commemorates those former scouts who lost their lives in the Second World War. We were proud to have this displayed in the chapel on Remembrance Day 2023.

We have also kindly been donated an original piece of art work made by local artist Lynette Thomas. The mosaic was inspired by a guided cemetery walk Lynette came on in July, where she describes the cemetery as ‘a tranquil place and a haven for wildlife with beautiful stone carvings and grotesques.’ To see more of Lynette’s work visit the Artsite website and her Facebook page.

The cemetery chapel – everything just right

The non-denominational chapel, built to seat 100 people, was never flash. Four angels on the ceiling bosses are the only adornments, a little colour glass in the windows, but I’ll come to that another time. Any hymn singing was probably unaccompanied, the non-conformist ministers leading the mourners.

Look up and marvel at the intricate timber framed roof, a credit to builders Phillips & Powell and George Wiltshire, still weather proof, still doing the job for which it was intended.

Sadly, most of the original pews were removed some years ago. There are a couple still left, showing their age, but able to give us a snapshot of how things once were.

A lectern has survived the ravages of time and the work of vandals. And so have two trestle coffin stands. At first sight they might appear rather tall, but they are just the right height to allow the pall bearers to carefully lower their burden.

Everything perfectly designed, carefully thought out, everything just right.