Tales of people draping dead moles around their necks to cure toothache were among those heard at an open day at Holbeach Cemetery Chapels on Saturday (April 22) attended by more than 60 people.
Linden Secker, a leading researcher working with Holbeach Cemetery Chapels Trust (HCCT), led a trail of 20 graves telling stories of the occupations of the Victorians buried there.
Over 75 occupations were mentioned, including a tallow chandler (maker of goods such as candles from suet), higgler (a merchant) and rat catcher. Linden also told stories of how people sought to cure ills including by butchers supplying animal blood to fend off tuberculosis.
In one of the Park Road chapels there was a display of the winning entries for the trust’s recent photography competition. Jonathan Bye, from Long Sutton Photography Club, took first prize in the adults’ section. Rebecca Craggs (18), a sixth form student at University Academy Holbeach, won the 12 to 18-year-olds’ section and Charlie Dunne (5) gained the under-12 first prize, with Roxelle Barber (7) a close second.
The competition was judged by Beverley Gormley from Heritage Lincolnshire, a partner with HCCT in the Heritage Lottery Funded project to demonstrate and explore the uses the Victorian chapels could be put to if refurbished.
An ongoing programme of activities caters for every age group with workshops for stained glass, stone masonry, photography and painting.
For more on events, including a concert by the Mirinesse Singers on Wednesday, June 21, and two-day children’s drama workshop, beginning Tuesday, July 25, see www.holbeachcemeterychapels.org.uk
