An elaborate late 16th-century monument to a member of the Haselwood family.

Abbey of the Holy Cross with Saint Edburgha, Pershore, Worcestershire 
(Click on an image for a larger version)


The main building was begun in about 1100. In the fourteenth century it benefitted from the generosity of Adam de Harvington, Chancellor of the Exchequer 1327-30, who was probably related to the Abbot, William of Harvington. The abbey was dissolved in 1539. When the north transept collapsed in 1686, a wall was built in its place. Further alterations were carried out, including a restoration by George Gilbert Scott in 1862-64. His work included the removal of the belfry floor and the opening up of the lantern tower to expose the beautiful internal tracery panelling. In 1913, two western flying buttresses were added to replace the support from the missing portion of the building.


Against the west wall of the south transept is an elaborate late 16th-century monument to a member of the Haselwood family; on a panelled base rests the armed recumbent effigy of a man, at his head kneels a lady and at his feet a man in civilian attire. A flat canopy with an entablature round is supported on three black marble Corinthian columns. On the cornice is a repainted shield of arms.
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Midshipman Charles Parker died after a "short illness off one week".

 St Peter, Little Comberton, Worcestershire
(Click on an image for a larger version)


A Norman limestone church with a tall and beautiful 15th century west tower. The nave is Norman, the chancel was rebuilt as part of an extensive restoration in 1886.


Midshipman Charles Parker died after a "short illness off one week". HMS Boyne was renamed HMS Excellent in 1834 and became a training ship. Excellent was broken up in 1861

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Charles Parker was Rector of the church for 57 years.

 St Michael, Great Comberton, Worcestershire
(Click on an image for a larger version)


A limestone church, the nave walls are Norman, the tower was added in the 15th century. There is other work from the 14th and 15th centuries and the chancel was rebuilt by Sir G G Scott in 1862.


Charles Parker was Rector of the church for 57 years. He is remembered both inside the church and in the churchyard.


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Where is the best place to see pictures of other unusual graves?

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Margarett Billamore lost her husband and only child in India within 5 months.

St John the Baptist, Fladbury, Worcestershire 
(Click on an image for a larger version)


There has almost certainly been a Christian presence in Fladbury since the 7th century, but the present church, dedicated to St John the Baptist – as befits the church of a riverside community – dates predominantly from the 14th century. A particular source of interest is the work of Frederick Preedy, an able artist who combined the profession of architecture with the design, painting and manufacture of stained glass.


Margarett Billamore lost her husband and only child in India within 5 months.

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Where is the best place to see pictures of other unusual graves?

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FACEBOOK CEMETERY EXPLORATION GROUP
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Can you spot the error in the inscription?

 St Mathias, Malvern, Worcestershire
(Click on an image for a larger version)


The initial church was designed by Sir G G Scott. It seated 300 people, and cost £1,900 to build. It was completed in 1846 and consecrated by Bishop Pepys of Worcester on the 13th of January. In 1858, the church was extended to the south, and a new tower was added in 1862. In 1880, the church was found to be too small, and the decision was made to extend it eastwards. Tenders were invited and Thomas Collins of Tewkesbury estimated the costs to be £2,400. The costs of this extension were principally met by Earl Beauchamp.


Can you spot the error in the inscription?
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Where is the best place to see pictures of other unusual graves?

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FACEBOOK CEMETERY EXPLORATION GROUP
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Harvey Combe was MP for the City of London

 St Andrew, Cobham, Surrey
(Click on an image for a larger version)


The community of Church Cobham grew up around St. Andrew's Church, which dates from the 12th century. Although much altered and extended in the 19th century, the church preserves a Norman tower and is a Grade I listed building.


The elaborate memorial to Harvey Christian Combe and his wife Alice. He was elected the Member of Parliament for the City of London in 1796.
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Where is the best place to see pictures of other unusual graves?

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"Home in time for Christmas".

 Methodist Chapel, Effingham, Surrey
(Click on an image for a larger version)


A general view.


"Home in time for Christmas".
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Where is the best place to see pictures of other unusual graves?

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"An orphan from her earliest years ..." .

 St Nicolas, Great Bookham, Surrey
(Click on an image for a larger version)


The church is mentioned in Domesday, and it is not improbable that the present nave is of the same size as that of the 11th-century building, and may have some of the original stones incorporated in its walling.


"An orphan from her earliest years ..." .
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Where is the best place to see pictures of other unusual graves?

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The S.S. Zent was torpedoed without warning off Fastnet, Ireland on the 5th April 1916.

 St Michael and All Angels, Bricklehampton, Worcestershire
(Click on an image for a larger version)


The church is mainly in Decorated style. The south doorway is late 12th century, with one order of nook shafts with waterleaf capitals, and arch with chevrons, label with billet frieze and head stops. The timber-framed porch has open arcaded sides over rendered panels and dwarf walls, and has cusped barge boards.


S.S. Zent was built at Belfast in 1905 by Workman, Clark & Co. She was owned by Elders and Fyffes and was on a voyage from Garston to Santa Marta, Colombia when she was torpedoed without warning off Fastnet, Ireland on the 5th April 1916.
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Where is the best place to see pictures of other unusual graves?

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25 new books on graves and grave-hunting

Claire and I have been visiting churchyards and cemeteries for about 8 years. All our discoveries are posted on our website and the highlights get posted on the blog you are currently reading.
 
We also support the many Facebook groups that enthusiasts have set up - particularly the Social History and the Cemetery Exploration sites.
 
In the early days we would go out locally for 2 or 3 hours and drive perhaps 20 or 30 miles to find sites we had not visited before. Now we are having to travel a minimum of 60 miles to find an unexplored site and on a typical day we might drive 200 miles! It has become a very expensive hobby.
 
We have written a number of books based on our discoveries hoping that group members who enjoy reading our blog will buy copies to help with our costs.
All these books are available from Amazon in the USA and in the UK
The Grave Hunters Series
Grave Hunting - Tips and Tales

https://www.amazon.com/Grave-Hunting-Mr-Martin-Nicholson/dp/1519771975/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469974582&sr=8-1&keywords=nicholson+grave+hunting
 
 
Gravestones of Herefordshire

 
 
Gravestones of Shropshire

 
 
Unusual Gravestones


The Explorers Guide Series


The Cambridge American Cemetery

 

The Honolulu Memorial



 
County Catalogue of Unusual War Graves and Memorials
Volume 1 – Shropshire

Volume 2 – Worcestershire
 
 

Volume 3 – Herefordshire 
 
 
Unusual Commonwealth War Graves and Memorials
Volume 1 – United Kingdom
 
 

Volume 2 – France
 
 

Volume 3 – Belgium
 
 

Volume 4 – Iraq
 
 

Volume 5 - Germany
 
 
Volume 6 – Egypt

 
 
The Western Front Series
The Arras War Graves and Memorials
 
 

The Menin Gate Memorial
 
 

Thiepval War Graves and Memorials
 
 

Tyne Cot War Graves and Memorials
 

The Unique War Graves Series

Unique Australian War Graves and Memorials Worldwide

 
 

Unique Canadian War Graves and Memorials Worldwide

 
 

Unique Indian War Graves and Memorials Worldwide

 
 

Unique New Zealand War Graves and Memorials Worldwide

 
 

Unique South African War Graves and Memorials Worldwide

 
 

Unique United Kingdom War Graves and Memorials Worldwide 

 

Mary died aged 2 weeks in 1694. Amazingly the inscription can still be read.

 St James the Great, Harvington, Worcestershire
(Click on an image for a larger version)


The church originates from the 12th century though much of it was rebuilt in the 14th century when the nearby manor house and rectory were built and the distinctive green copper spire was added in 1855.


Mary died aged 2 weeks in 1694. Amazingly the inscription can still be read.
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Where is the best place to see pictures of other unusual graves?

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An angel stands in silent remembrance of three siblings.

 St Mary and St Milburgh, Offenham, Worcestershire
(Click on an image for a larger version)


The church stands on a Saxon site and has a Norman tower, the building is Grade II* and was largely rebuilt in 1860 by Frederick Preedy who also designed the stained glass windows. Frederick was born in Offenham in 1820.


An angel stands in silent remembrance of three siblings.
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Where is the best place to see pictures of other unusual graves?

FACEBOOK SOCIAL HISTORY GROUP
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FACEBOOK CEMETERY EXPLORATION GROUP
https://www.facebook.com/groups/345000398956884/

 


 

"It's Springtime John, let's go into the garden".

St Michael, South Littleton, Worcestershire 
(Click on an image for a larger version)


Parts of the church date back to the 13th and 15th centuries but extensive restoration was carried out in 1883 by F Preedy.


"It's Springtime John, let's go into the garden".
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Where is the best place to see pictures of other unusual graves?

FACEBOOK SOCIAL HISTORY GROUP
https://www.facebook.com/groups/609806292391471/

FACEBOOK CEMETERY EXPLORATION GROUP
https://www.facebook.com/groups/345000398956884/