Stoney, Highgate Cemetery London.

Stoney, Highgate East cemetery. I love this rock shaped monument for Richard Smith who was involved with the process of using wheat germ in the manufacture of Hovis bread.

Lions

George Wombwell a managerist, Highgate cemetery London. Wombwell began his menagerie by exhibiting two boa constrictor snakes which he wheeled around various pubs in London in Victorian times. His monument is of one of his lions Nero. A rival managerist also has a lion monument which is slightly smaller in Abney Park cemetery London (bottom photo.)

Karl Marx Highgate Cemetery.

A man who needs no introduction – Karl Marx in Highgate East cemetery London.

Highgate Cemetery, London.

‘Gordon Bell middle name Ernest though he placed no importance on it’. This one always makes me smile; a take on Shakespeare’s The importance of being earnest.

Thomas Sayers Highgate Cemetery London

Thomas Sayers was a pugilist (bare knuckle boxer.) During his career he was only defeated once. His fighting career lasted from 1849-1860, when a match billed as the "World Championship" ended in disarray. An unprecedented public collection funded his retirement, but he died five years later at the age of 39 of diabetes and tuberculosis. Such was his fame that his burial at Highgate cemetery was attended by ten thousand people. His friends again subscribed for the erection of a large tomb, bearing a statue of his beloved dog Lion who attended Thomas' funeral wearing a black ruff around his neck.

Tombstone Tales: Highgate Gothic

Listen to the Music while you read:
Variations on a French Cancan
Very Slow and Spooky French Cancan
Orchestral Music Made by Spirits

Twelve o'clock and where once

the groom and his bride 
were murdered,

it's pitch black now and every

room is deserted.

Except the one where

a grand piano is playing

Variations on a French Cancan

- do you see the pianist?

Night after night

caught in a web of white light

he's playing the same

Very Slow & Spooky Tune

over and over again

- do you see him?

The keys are touched

by invisible fingers when

a ghostly band joins in on this

Orchestral Music Made by Spirits

and disappears

into the fog,

forever

until the groom and his bride

return to Highgate and the clock

strikes midnight again.

Silent Cities

To round off the year here is one of my favourites from Highgate cemetery in London - DEAD!

I do love it when people have a sense of humour even in death. I liked it so much it’s on the cover of my new book. Speaking of which, Joe has kindly let me post details of it here. I wouldn't want anyone thinking I was mindlessly plugging it or spamming, so thanks for that.

Silent Cities Volume Six, continuing the journey through the cemeteries of London and Paris by memorial photographer Jeane Trend-Hill is now available. Containing 120 stunning colour images featuring angels, crosses and many unusual monuments.
Buy it here: http://www.lulu.com/content/lulustudio-photo-book/silent-cities-volume-six/7048220 or for further information see: www.homestead.com/askjeane

I would like to wish you all a very happy, healthy and safe 2010. See you on the other side!

Jeane XO