Tiptoe Through The Tombstones

Whilst up in Lancashire recently , we were driving to the outskirts of Liverpool to get some supplies for DIY (getting a property ready for rental, which is allowed under Covid rules), we drove past a church in the parish of Maghull. I noticed an interesting looking small building in the graveyard, so we decided that we should stop and off and investigate on the way back.

On first glance I thought it may be a large tomb but on close inspection, we discovered the building was part of the original 13th century church. As the parish grew, the church was too small for the attendees and thus the larger church was built in 1880.

Sadly it was all locked up, but the actual graveyard was fascinating in itself,so we took some time to explore and read the gravestones. I do enjoy visiting graveyards , they’re so full of social history ( i’m not a goth honest! lol)

it was a fascinating old graveyard, full of some truly beautiful gravestones with such intricate detail.

One in particular caught my chaps eye, and it proved to be a very interesting memorial

When chap saw the name on the fancy memorial he wondered if that who it was, and then we saw the little tribute at the base-can you see the little Meccano star in the second picture?)

The memorial is to Frank Hornby, a very famous Liverpudlian known round the world for inventing Meccano! his company later brought out Dinky diecast toys and model railways

I saw a video a few days ago, an American lady going around cemetery’s and cleaning up neglected gravestones-removing all the moss and greenery. At the time, I thought what a great idea, but I also think there is something beautiful about the aging process on gravestones like this. Also this graveyard is obviously looked after-the stones are all upright and free of climbing vines.

Just a couple more pictures! including a masonic gravestone on the left

for more info on Maghull chapel , then go here http://www.ancientmaghullchapel.co.uk/index.html