Box Cemetery Project Alan Payne November 2023
The Box Old Cemetery grounds (courtesy Carol Payne)
In 2024 Box Parish Council is launching a new project to record the story of the historic Box Cemetery and the people buried in its grounds. Did you know that the cemetery is one of the oldest village public burial grounds in England? The land was donated in 1858 by the Northey family, shortly after the Great Exhibition and two decades before cremation was accepted. It was founded amidst a furore about the role of the vicar of Box, the Rev Holled Horlock, in the deaths of his heiress wife and his sister-in-law and allegations of a cover-up by church authorities blaming fumes originating in the Box Churchyard.
The cemetery was part of a Victorian social movement to upgrade the sites in which families could lay their families to rest in peaceful, spacious locations. About 1840 the great metropolitan city cemeteries in London were started (including Highgate and Brompton). A few years later came the provincial city cemeteries (such as Arnos Vale, Bristol, and Reading Old Cemetery). The imperative of improving Box Churchyard was the impetus for forming Box Cemetery as an early rural village burial ground.
Some of the Headstones in the Box Old Cemetery
The cemetery was part of a Victorian social movement to upgrade the sites in which families could lay their families to rest in peaceful, spacious locations. About 1840 the great metropolitan city cemeteries in London were started (including Highgate and Brompton). A few years later came the provincial city cemeteries (such as Arnos Vale, Bristol, and Reading Old Cemetery). The imperative of improving Box Churchyard was the impetus for forming Box Cemetery as an early rural village burial ground.
Some of the Headstones in the Box Old Cemetery
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All headstone photographs courtesy Carol Payne
Box Council has already started an initiative to encourage more wilding in unused parts of the cemetery grounds. Working with volunteers, a secret garden has been established at the top right-hand site of the grounds (south-west area) where people can peacefully remember their family members and enjoy the tranquility of the cemetery setting in rural Wiltshire
Box New Cemetery Site
For the first 40 years after 1858 the site was controlled by the Burial Board of Box Church when the area was traditionally called Nap Stile or Great Lye Mead. The parish council was established in 1895 and it took over whatever records were available and the cemetery land. At first, Methodists and other non-Conformist residents could not be buried in the main burial grounds and a small unconsecrated site was dedicated to them at the top right behind the chapel. The parish council removed this separation.
As the site became full with later burials, a new cemetery was opened with the acquisition of adjacent ground from Dora Shaw-Mellor in 1943. Further land was bought later and kerbstone memorials were restricted after 1978. In 1984 a Memorial Garden was dedicated for cremated interments at the highest point of the grounds to offer far-reaching views over Box Valley and Box Village. Since then many people have wanted Box Cemetery to be their final resting place – now listing about 4,500 individuals.
For the first 40 years after 1858 the site was controlled by the Burial Board of Box Church when the area was traditionally called Nap Stile or Great Lye Mead. The parish council was established in 1895 and it took over whatever records were available and the cemetery land. At first, Methodists and other non-Conformist residents could not be buried in the main burial grounds and a small unconsecrated site was dedicated to them at the top right behind the chapel. The parish council removed this separation.
As the site became full with later burials, a new cemetery was opened with the acquisition of adjacent ground from Dora Shaw-Mellor in 1943. Further land was bought later and kerbstone memorials were restricted after 1978. In 1984 a Memorial Garden was dedicated for cremated interments at the highest point of the grounds to offer far-reaching views over Box Valley and Box Village. Since then many people have wanted Box Cemetery to be their final resting place – now listing about 4,500 individuals.
The New Box Cemetery grounds set on a hillside (courtesy Carol Payne)
Your Family’s Story
In conjunction with Box People and Places, the Council wants to record the fabulous history of people who are buried in the heritage grounds, including the stories of modern families. Did you know that people buried in the cemetery include Sister Lilian Lamb, the goddaughter of William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army; relatives of Sir Tom Jones, the singer; and a seven-year-old traveller boy buried with his toy pony by his uncle and aunt? Every person buried in the cemetery has their own story to tell.
Starting in 2024 the parish council website will include small obituaries to honour the memory of people who are buried in the grounds. If you would like your family and individuals to be included, you are invited to contribute details about them. Please contact Alan Payne at [email protected] to contribute an article. A photo of the person would be helpful together with your memories.
In conjunction with Box People and Places, the Council wants to record the fabulous history of people who are buried in the heritage grounds, including the stories of modern families. Did you know that people buried in the cemetery include Sister Lilian Lamb, the goddaughter of William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army; relatives of Sir Tom Jones, the singer; and a seven-year-old traveller boy buried with his toy pony by his uncle and aunt? Every person buried in the cemetery has their own story to tell.
Starting in 2024 the parish council website will include small obituaries to honour the memory of people who are buried in the grounds. If you would like your family and individuals to be included, you are invited to contribute details about them. Please contact Alan Payne at [email protected] to contribute an article. A photo of the person would be helpful together with your memories.