Ely Cemetery was the topic of conversation at the Mayor of Ely's recent talk for the Rotary Club of Ely.

Councillor Chris Phillips was accompanied by the Lady Mayoress, Mary Rone, when he visited Ely Bowling Club on the evening of Thursday January 11. 

Rosemary Westwell, rotary group member, said: "When he said the topic was ‘Ely Cemetery’, there were some misgivings.

"However, these were soon overcome as Chris spoke enthusiastically about the history about the cemetery and its graves.

"His time as a chaplain and a history teacher were put to good use.

"He has a phenomenal knowledge of the history of Ely Cemetery and the various people who were buried there became real with his picturesque stories and their lives and conditions as he took us on an imaginary tour of the graveyard.  

"Among the characters brought to life in our imaginations were the Littleport rioters, Dean Peacock, William Selwyn (whose brother was influential in the naming of Selwyn College in Cambridge), photographer John Titterton, and the founder of the Cambridge/Oxford Boat Race, Charles Merrivale.

"There was also the Harlock family, of whom Ebenezar built the Maltings, as wel as a murderer and victim who are buried next to each other who had lived side by side in small cottages nearby, and a large number of children who had died in their infancy.

"It is Chris’s wish to have a sensory garden built nearby.   

"One particular family of characters that stood out for me were the Newsteads, of whom John used to tell stories of his experiences at war or when Butler to the Bishop. It was a John Newstead who eventually bought the Dolphin pub.  

"Then were the fascinating facts he had discovered during his research, like the young lady who lied about her age for the newspapers, but on her marriage certificate, the truth was revealed.

"He also wished it to be known that it is NOT true, that the mound with an ash tree growing on top is NOT is a cholera burial area. It was an old windmill.  

"He spoke of the separate sections in the churchyard, one of which allows Muslims to be buried.

"There were numerous questions at the end of his talk and a number of people were driven to tell the stories of their families.

"It was certainly an inspiring speech and a walk through the graveyard with Chris is planned for sometime in the future. 

For more information about Rotary or to contact them if you wish to join or you are a charity looking for financial support please visit the Club’s website at www.elyrotary.co.uk