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Though it had rain either over night or early morning it did not stop a few FoSOC’s members (mostly FoSOC Committee) from meeting the Lord Mayor Cllr Dave Sheilds at the Old Cemetery. Geoff Watts started off the walk with an introduction as to why the cemetery is here, then we proceed to the Jewish Section where Lizzie O’Sullivan spoke about Frederick Emanuel (grandson of the 1st Jewish Mayor of Southampton) and Percy L Moss, who was in both wars and is now a Commonwealth War Grave. Geoff then show the Lord Mayor the beautiful stone that is a marker for those would do not have a marker on their graves. Then onto Charlie Barr a Scotsman, 3 times winner of the America’s Cup alas not for Britain, he took out American Citizenship just before his 1st win. A few … Continue reading →

Yesterday afternoon (13th April) guide Graham Linecar took a group of 25 members of the public as well as few FoSOC member on a longer walk around the Old Cemetery, talking about the Titanic graves. The weather was not on his side but he did manage to show quite a few graves before rain intervened and the walk was abandon. For those that stayed came back to the Non-Conformist Chapel to look at the display and chat about what they had seen. Even though the walk was abandon the group extremely pleased with what Graham had told them. Well done Graham. Photos Bruce Larner

At the former Non Conformist chapel in the cemetery, on Sunday morning of the 13th April, now used by FoSOC as their ‘centre’, Geoff Watts gave a free talk about ‘RMS Titanic and Southampton’. This concentrated specifically on how the coming to Southampton of the ship, and its subsequent loss, affected the town. With many images, Geoff took us through places, locations and buildings that can still be seen and some of the people involved in the tragedy. The talk was well received and we were joined by some descendants of people involved, providing additional interest to the subject. Keep a look out for our next free talk at the chapel!

Yesterday (12th) two FoSOC guides Lizzie O’Sullivan and Val Ferguson took the first ‘Survivors’ walk. Nineteen people were on the walk and it was very well received. Below is just three of the graves that were visited. The walk started at Frederick William Scott a greaser born in Southampton in 1883 who did survive the sinking of the Titanic and later had to answer 400 question at the British enquiry into the disaster. Unfortuanltey, three year he died in an explosion on the S.S Marguerite a steamship from Dover to Southampton and is buried in the Old Cemetery. Arthur Priest, a Fireman on board the Titanic, who was born in Southampton in 1887, who also survived the sinking of the ‘Donegal, Asturias and was on the ‘Olympic’ when she had the collision with the ‘Hawke’, his nickname was ‘unsinkable stoker’. … Continue reading →

With all the sunshine and lovely warm weather the U.K has been having, the Old Cemetery has blossomed ….with crocuses, snowdrops, Daffodils and Muscari Armeniacum (Blue grape hyacinth) to names but a few.. Photos attached

The Old Cemetery is a haven for insects due to the sheltered location, the low intensity management, and the great variety of insect host plants. Please join me on this opportunity to study, learn about, and hopefully identify a wide range of species of grasshopper and cricket, Hemiptera bug, ladybirds and other beetles, bees, wasps, moths, butterflies, and two winged flies. We won’t be ignoring other invertebrates such as snails and spiders should we come across them. Many of the species will be seen on flowers but I will be bringing netting equipment to aid us as required. If the weather is poor the search would be more challenging but what we do find may be less mobile. – led by Phil Budd Meeting Place: Main cemetery entrance off Cemetery Road Grid Ref: SU412136 Postcode: SO15 7NN What3Words: ///hulk.vast.serve

Even Storm Darragh with winds of up to 60 mph did not stop the brilliant show of baubles hanging on the trees in the Old Cemetery. So far not one bauble has been destroyed. Many thanks to those who every year come and make the cemetery look very colourful and festive. To all FoSOC members and the public who have helped and supported the group during 2024 we would like to wish you a Very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year! Photos taken by Bruce Larner

Our commemoration this year has as one of its themes what was happening in November 1914, three months after the German invasion of Belgium led to declaration of war. Southampton was one of the places receiving Belgian soldiers injured in defence of their homeland. Sadly, many died of wounds. Records show the first burial of Belgian soldiers in plots surrounding me was on 28 October 1914. 110 years ago, by 10 November 1914 barely two weeks later, a dozen more had followed. To the people of Southampton this rapidly increasing number of fresh graves here must have been a poignant sign of the impact of war. It’s perhaps one factor which led to the public giving money for this Cross, unveiled in 1916, commemorating, by name, Belgian soldiers buried here and in other local cemeteries, and the response of the … Continue reading →

For those who may, perhaps, not have been aware, 2024 marks the 21 st anniversary of the founding of FoSOC and our 16 th Remembrance Commemoration in this cemetery. When we were founded by John Avery, Veronica Tippetts and myself, we were very limited in our operations as we were starting from scratch. As you will all appreciate, FoSOC has progressed very well, thanks to the hard work, over the years, of its committee and members. We are all, as volunteers, dedicated to our work in, and connected to, this cemetery. If you have not seen the display in the former non-conformist chapel, put together by Val Ferguson, our Secretary, please do take the opportunity to do so. Our co-Founder, Veronica, is our Lord Mayor’s Mum so, please, Lord Mayor, take to her our very best wishes, and sincere thanks, for her part in … Continue reading →

Friend of Southampton Old Ceremony will be holding a ceremony at the Old Cemetery on Sunday the 10th November at 2.30pm. Starting from the Cross of Sacrifice and concluding at the Belgian War Memorial. All are welcome.