Comments for Jeremy Hargreaves http://www.jeremyhargreaves.org Thu, 23 May 2013 08:21:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 Comment on An autumn visit to Highgate Cemetery by Lee-Ann http://www.jeremyhargreaves.org/blog/2007/an-autumn-visit-to-highgate-cemetery/comment-page-1/#comment-1926 Lee-Ann Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:31:20 +0000 http://www.jeremyhargreaves.org/blog/2007/an-autumn-visit-to-highgate-cemetery/#comment-1926 To Jeane Trend Hill: Ignore the haters because you don’t deserve this. You do amazing work with your photography and grave restoration projects. They are jealous of anyone who gets off their ass and makes a success of themselves. To Jeane Trend Hill: Ignore the haters because you don’t deserve this. You do amazing work with your photography and grave restoration projects. They are jealous of anyone who gets off their ass and makes a success of themselves.

]]> Comment on An autumn visit to Highgate Cemetery by Mary Ann http://www.jeremyhargreaves.org/blog/2007/an-autumn-visit-to-highgate-cemetery/comment-page-1/#comment-1925 Mary Ann Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:12:04 +0000 http://www.jeremyhargreaves.org/blog/2007/an-autumn-visit-to-highgate-cemetery/#comment-1925 Jeane: Goodbye. Silent Cities: it was the Friends (many, many of them) who rescued the cemetery from “desolate wilderness”, not Jean P. It really is time this was acknowledged. You’re also wrong to refer to its “present glory”. The Cemetery is in fact in pretty poor shape and English Heritage has put it on the At Risk Register. Richard Coldall: no, the Cemetery has not been “managed quite sensibly” as you say. Had it been it would not now be on the At Risk Register. Margaret: your comment that “without Jean, it would be a ruin” shows that you haven’t been to the Cemetery for a very long time (and you appear not to know about the At Risk status). The fact is (as anyone who has been there continuously for 30 years will tell you) that the cemetery is now in WORSE condition than when the Friends took it over. This is due entirely to the daft policy of “managed neglect” which in practice meant plain neglect. As for your admonishment that people should stop criticising and do a bit of work on the landscape instead, you obviously haven’t tried this yourself. Otherwise you’d have known that anyone who tried was stopped before they even got to touch a single leaf of ivy. Finally, tell us this: how does it show respect for the dead to insist that their memorials are covered in ivy, holly, bramble so you can’t read the inscription and that tree roots are allowed to overturn these memorials? Come on Margaret, tell us – what sort of ‘respect’ is this? Dennis: as you don’t live here you can be forgiven for your comments about tourists. But the fact is that we haven’t had any “thrill seekers” for a very long time (and even then it was just a couple of idiots) and the cemetery has not, as you believe “suffered at the hands of tourists”. On the contrary, it’s the tourists who have helped to keep the place going and on the map. We welcome them and we thank them for their generosity and for loving the Cemetery as we do. Purleaze and Caroline C: yes, you’ve got it right but then you’re insiders so you know that the reality is very different from the propaganda and self-promotion. Jeremy Hargreaves: thank you for recognising, without prompting, that it’s the “voluntary effort” of the Friends as a whole that keeps the Cemetery going. I hope you will help support our efforts in whatever you can especially now that there is a regime change and efforts at better management. And please do come and visit us again. Jeane: Goodbye.

Silent Cities: it was the Friends (many, many of them) who rescued the cemetery from “desolate wilderness”, not Jean P. It really is time this was acknowledged. You’re also wrong to refer to its “present glory”. The Cemetery is in fact in pretty poor shape and English Heritage has put it on the At Risk Register.

Richard Coldall: no, the Cemetery has not been “managed quite sensibly” as you say. Had it been it would not now be on the At Risk Register.

Margaret: your comment that “without Jean, it would be a ruin” shows that you haven’t been to the Cemetery for a very long time (and you appear not to know about the At Risk status). The fact is (as anyone who has been there continuously for 30 years will tell you) that the cemetery is now in WORSE condition than when the Friends took it over. This is due entirely to the daft policy of “managed neglect” which in practice meant plain neglect. As for your admonishment that people should stop criticising and do a bit of work on the landscape instead, you obviously haven’t tried this yourself. Otherwise you’d have known that anyone who tried was stopped before they even got to touch a single leaf of ivy. Finally, tell us this: how does it show respect for the dead to insist that their memorials are covered in ivy, holly, bramble so you can’t read the inscription and that tree roots are allowed to overturn these memorials? Come on Margaret, tell us – what sort of ‘respect’ is this?

Dennis: as you don’t live here you can be forgiven for your comments about tourists. But the fact is that we haven’t had any “thrill seekers” for a very long time (and even then it was just a couple of idiots) and the cemetery has not, as you believe “suffered at the hands of tourists”. On the contrary, it’s the tourists who have helped to keep the place going and on the map. We welcome them and we thank them for their generosity and for loving the Cemetery as we do.

Purleaze and Caroline C: yes, you’ve got it right but then you’re insiders so you know that the reality is very different from the propaganda and self-promotion.

Jeremy Hargreaves: thank you for recognising, without prompting, that it’s the “voluntary effort” of the Friends as a whole that keeps the Cemetery going. I hope you will help support our efforts in whatever you can especially now that there is a regime change and efforts at better management. And please do come and visit us again.

]]> Comment on An autumn visit to Highgate Cemetery by Jeane Trend-Hill http://www.jeremyhargreaves.org/blog/2007/an-autumn-visit-to-highgate-cemetery/comment-page-1/#comment-1923 Jeane Trend-Hill Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:34:41 +0000 http://www.jeremyhargreaves.org/blog/2007/an-autumn-visit-to-highgate-cemetery/#comment-1923 Mary Ann, I am going to be the bigger person here and step away. This is turning into a ridiculous childish farce, please find somebody else to insult because I’ve had enough of your silly games. Mary Ann, I am going to be the bigger person here and step away. This is turning into a ridiculous childish farce, please find somebody else to insult because I’ve had enough of your silly games.

]]> Comment on An autumn visit to Highgate Cemetery by Mary Ann http://www.jeremyhargreaves.org/blog/2007/an-autumn-visit-to-highgate-cemetery/comment-page-1/#comment-1922 Mary Ann Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:54:45 +0000 http://www.jeremyhargreaves.org/blog/2007/an-autumn-visit-to-highgate-cemetery/#comment-1922 Now that you finally concede that you don’t know any guides other than ‘D’ from “many moons ago” and you also accept that your knowledge of Highgate Cemetery is very limited, yes please, please do let’s stick to the important matter. What, BTW, was that in your opinion -- in precise terms please? Now that you finally concede that you don’t know any guides other than ‘D’ from “many moons ago” and you also accept that your knowledge of Highgate Cemetery is very limited, yes please, please do let’s stick to the important matter. What, BTW, was that in your opinion — in precise terms please?

]]> Comment on An autumn visit to Highgate Cemetery by Jeane Trend-Hill http://www.jeremyhargreaves.org/blog/2007/an-autumn-visit-to-highgate-cemetery/comment-page-1/#comment-1921 Jeane Trend-Hill Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:02:27 +0000 http://www.jeremyhargreaves.org/blog/2007/an-autumn-visit-to-highgate-cemetery/#comment-1921 Mary Ann, If you checked the comments above you would see that one of them “D” actually does! It doesn’t need repeating - as I mentioned previously, this forum is not about me, please can we stick to the more important subject matter thank you. Mary Ann,

If you checked the comments above you would see that one of them “D” actually does! It doesn’t need repeating - as I mentioned previously, this forum is not about me, please can we stick to the more important subject matter thank you.

]]> Comment on An autumn visit to Highgate Cemetery by Mary Ann http://www.jeremyhargreaves.org/blog/2007/an-autumn-visit-to-highgate-cemetery/comment-page-1/#comment-1920 Mary Ann Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:31:06 +0000 http://www.jeremyhargreaves.org/blog/2007/an-autumn-visit-to-highgate-cemetery/#comment-1920 Jeanne, none of the guides at Highgate Cemetery 'hate' you (or even think about you) for the simple reason that none of us know you. How many more times does this have to be repeated? Jeanne, none of the guides at Highgate Cemetery ‘hate’ you (or even think about you) for the simple reason that none of us know you. How many more times does this have to be repeated?

]]> Comment on An autumn visit to Highgate Cemetery by Jeane Trend-Hill http://www.jeremyhargreaves.org/blog/2007/an-autumn-visit-to-highgate-cemetery/comment-page-1/#comment-1919 Jeane Trend-Hill Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:04:40 +0000 http://www.jeremyhargreaves.org/blog/2007/an-autumn-visit-to-highgate-cemetery/#comment-1919 Purleaze, thank you for getting back on track, I was beginning to think that certain people here hated all Jean / Jeane’s! Yes I will definitely try to attend future AGM’s if I can get there as I’m sure it would be very enlightening. I have know Jean a long time and had the pleasure of many one to one long conversations (not just at the cemetery gates whilst filling out my gift aid form.) I can only speak as I find because I don’t work there, but that is not a reason for any verbal attack. When I first met her back in the 80s I was scared of her, I have been on the receiving end of her sharp tongue more than once and have witnessed her ‘in action’. I do think she has mellowed a great deal over the last year though. I have read much negative press whilst researching, but I always put forward a positive stance when writing articles myself as I love the cemetery, always have done and always will. I write for two American publications whose readers constantly ask me about visiting Highgate, I have accompanied several of them and many have encountered Jean. I do know that most of the guides are lovely but yesterday I was starting to have my doubts! I totally agree with what Caroline has said in that our love of Highgate makes feelings run high and that this is a place that cradles our dead and we must always be respectful. I am in some cemetery or other most weeks because of my work and anyone who knows me will tell you that I abhor anyone climbing on graves, ghost busting coach trips, running around in fangs and cloaks. I know how I would feel if this happened where my parents are buried. Purleaze, thank you for getting back on track, I was beginning to think that certain people here hated all Jean / Jeane’s!

Yes I will definitely try to attend future AGM’s if I can get there as I’m sure it would be very enlightening.

I have know Jean a long time and had the pleasure of many one to one long conversations (not just at the cemetery gates whilst filling out my gift aid form.) I can only speak as I find because I don’t work there, but that is not a reason for any verbal attack.

When I first met her back in the 80s I was scared of her, I have been on the receiving end of her sharp tongue more than once and have witnessed her ‘in action’. I do think she has mellowed a great deal over the last year though.

I have read much negative press whilst researching, but I always put forward a positive stance when writing articles myself as I love the cemetery, always have done and always will. I write for two American publications whose readers constantly ask me about visiting Highgate, I have accompanied several of them and many have encountered Jean. I do know that most of the guides are lovely but yesterday I was starting to have my doubts!

I totally agree with what Caroline has said in that our love of Highgate makes feelings run high and that this is a place that cradles our dead and we must always be respectful. I am in some cemetery or other most weeks because of my work and anyone who knows me will tell you that I abhor anyone climbing on graves, ghost busting coach trips, running around in fangs and cloaks. I know how I would feel if this happened where my parents are buried.

]]> Comment on An autumn visit to Highgate Cemetery by Caroline Coombes http://www.jeremyhargreaves.org/blog/2007/an-autumn-visit-to-highgate-cemetery/comment-page-1/#comment-1918 Caroline Coombes Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:45:34 +0000 http://www.jeremyhargreaves.org/blog/2007/an-autumn-visit-to-highgate-cemetery/#comment-1918 Ladies and Gentleman, PLEASE. I guess it's a sign of how much Highgate Cemetery means to us all that feelings are running so high. May I try to explain why this is so? In the early 70's, when ordinary Highgate residents were given permission to go into the cemetery, which had been closed, to clean it up they were met with horrible deeds by horrible people. Derek Farrent and his witterings about a Highgate vampire were the least of it. When FoHC was formed it became a magnet for certain people for whom the phrase 'dignity of death' was a turn on. I remember the ex chairman telling me that a certain public figure (oh, all right then, Lord Mervyn Horder - does anyone remember him now?) volunteered his services. These were accepted gratefully (he was a lord after all), until the day he was discovered leaving the cemetery with a dead body in the back of his car. Highgate Cemetery has always been, primarily, a working cemetery, not a tourist attraction, and the decent people who serve it have been mindful of that fact - graveowners come first. It used to be that people likely to offend graveowners were kept out: For instance, the Bram Stoker Society, whose members liked to dress up as Dracula and leap out from behind tombstones, were banned in the early days. In recent years, due to, what appears to be,senility and apathy amongst the trustees, the vigilance has been relaxed and people who seem to regard Highgate Cemetery as a Disneyland of Death have been encouraged to visit and become volunteers. I know of the guide mentioned by some of you; he was permitted enormous liberties by the ex chairman and greatly distressed graveowners. I believe some of the people posting comments here to be graveowners and I understand their distress. However, anyone has the right to visit this wonderful place, as long as they respect the dignity of death. The Friends of Highgate Cemetery are going through a difficult time, due to mismanagement by the trustees, and everyone who loves the cemetery really should be uniting to overcome this. I'm sorry if I appear pompous - I've really tried to speak from the heart. Ladies and Gentleman, PLEASE.
I guess it’s a sign of how much Highgate Cemetery means to us all that feelings are running so high. May I try to explain why this is so?
In the early 70’s, when ordinary Highgate residents were given permission to go into the cemetery, which had been closed, to clean it up they were met with horrible deeds by horrible people. Derek Farrent and his witterings about a Highgate vampire were the least of it. When FoHC was formed it became a magnet for certain people for whom the phrase ‘dignity of death’ was a turn on. I remember the ex chairman telling me that a certain public figure (oh, all right then, Lord Mervyn Horder - does
anyone remember him now?) volunteered his services. These were accepted gratefully (he was a lord after all), until the day he was discovered leaving the cemetery with a dead body in the back of his car.
Highgate Cemetery has always been, primarily, a working cemetery, not a tourist attraction, and the decent people who serve it have been mindful of that fact - graveowners come first. It used to be that people likely to offend graveowners were kept out: For instance, the Bram Stoker Society, whose members liked to dress up as Dracula and leap out from behind tombstones, were banned in the early days. In recent years, due to, what appears to be,senility and apathy amongst the trustees, the vigilance has been relaxed and people who seem to regard Highgate Cemetery as a Disneyland of Death have been encouraged to visit and become volunteers. I know of the guide mentioned by some of you; he was permitted enormous liberties by the ex chairman and greatly distressed graveowners.
I believe some of the people posting comments here to be graveowners and I understand their distress. However, anyone has the right to visit this wonderful place, as long as they respect the dignity of death.
The Friends of Highgate Cemetery are going through a difficult time, due to mismanagement by the trustees, and everyone who loves the cemetery really should be uniting to overcome this.
I’m sorry if I appear pompous - I’ve really tried to speak from the heart.

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