Following a recommendation from York jazzman, composer and photographer, Tim New, I finally made it to York cemetery this week and enjoyed an hour's stroll through what is effectively a 24-acre nature park. To capture the atmosphere of the place, you really must listen to Tim's Angels and Saints and watch the accompanying slideshow here.
The cemetery was opened in 1837 and went into voluntary liquidation in 1966, a process which took 13 years, during which time the grounds became overgrown and the buildings decayed. The collapse of the chapel roof stimulated a group of concerned York folk to take steps towards its restoration, an initiative which eventually led to the formation of The Friends of York Cemetery and then The York Cemetery Trust. We are in debt to their dedication, as a visit to the site will demonstrate, and even more so, a visit to this beautiful green space.
Do you happen to know the name of that tree? We have that here too and it adds so much to the feeling of autumn.
ReplyDeleteWow! It's really a firework. Well photographed.
ReplyDeleteI do not feel comfortable being at the cemeteries. But the opposite feeling when read about or see this beauty.
ReplyDeleteI've always liked the idea of nature getting our bodies back to recycle. In these "civilized" times, I guess this cemetery-park is the closest one can get. It's beautiful.
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