Introduction “In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” Albert Schweitzer It has been two years since we first discovered their grave. There was a brief flurryContinue reading “Inner Spirit”
Category Archives: Stories
The Two Juanitas
As you walk through Teignmouth Old Cemetery, you can’t fail but be drawn to some of the graves that have been uncovered – it could be the headstone that catches your eye; or maybe you wonder about the epitaph; or, as in the case of this story, it may be the name of the person buried there – in this case Blanche Juanita Cooke, or rather Lady Blanche Juanita Cooke, wife of the 9th baronet.
In te domine speravi
“A——-, a mantle-maker in a large establishment. Wages 9s. per week, latterly only 7s. 6d., work being slack. Pays 3s. 6d. for room, 1s. for coal, lamp-oil, and firewood, 9d. for washing, which leaves just 3s. 9d. for food and clothing. Lives mostly on bread and tea; carries bread and butter for her dinner toContinue reading “In te domine speravi”
Countess Isabella Jane English
As you come out of Teignmouth on the Dawlish road and approach the top of the hill, keep an eye out on the left-hand side and you may catch a glimpse of one of Teignmouth’s hidden gems of architectural and historic interest. St Scholastica’s Abbey nestles behind the pallisade of tall trees. It is nowContinue reading “Countess Isabella Jane English”
Peter Paul Marshall
Introduction – a Pre-Raphaelite Inferno In my previous post I mentioned the wonderful names of various Victorians. Here is another one to conjure with – Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Yes, one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood; and, No, he’s not buried in Teignmouth cemetery. But there is a strong connection. History is fascinating forContinue reading “Peter Paul Marshall”
Rear-Admiral William Alfred Rombulow Pearse
Introduction Is it a pre-requisite of admirals of the 18th and 19th centuries to have grandiose names? Probably not, but one of the first graves we researched was that of Rear-Admiral Thomas Abel Brimage Spratt – a name to conjure with. A Royal Naval Mediterranean explorer, he could be called the “Indiana Jones” of his time! RearContinue reading “Rear-Admiral William Alfred Rombulow Pearse”
Three in One – Part 3b – Harry Welchman – Career Years
On February 5th 1960 the TV presenter Eamonn Andrews surprised Harry Welchman in a taxi outside the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, London. This became Harry’s appearance later that week on the popular TV show of the time ‘This is Your Life’. Unfortunately the recording of that show doesn’t exist any longer; it would have beenContinue reading “Three in One – Part 3b – Harry Welchman – Career Years”
The Curious Case of the Shifting Shrub
Something slightly light-hearted for Xmas Eve ….. Tales from the Grave so far have focussed on stories surrounding those who are buried in the Cemetery. But the Cemetery itself has its own tales to tell such as this one from the Western Morning News of Friday 5th March 1880 – a tale of apparent mystery, intrigueContinue reading “The Curious Case of the Shifting Shrub”
PC Harold Ricketts ….. Bravery and a Twist in the Tale
Postman’s Park A short distance north of St Paul’s Cathedral is a small area of land which once formed part of the site of the former churchyard and burial ground of St Botolph’s Aldersgate church. Following the Burial Acts of 1851 and onwards it was decided to convert this land into a public park which subsequently opened in 1880. Being adjacent to the newContinue reading “PC Harold Ricketts ….. Bravery and a Twist in the Tale”
The Keats Connection
This year has seen the 200th anniversary of the period that Keats stayed in Teignmouth. He was here for only two months, arriving on 6th March 1818 after an horrendous journey from London through torrential storms. He had come to look after his brother Tom who had been staying in Teignmouth as part of the ‘treatment’ ofContinue reading “The Keats Connection”
Teignmouth Old Cemetery 