Lord Mayor’s Walkabout

Monday 12 May 2025

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 more graves were stopped at and stories told before we all ended up in the Non-Conformist chapel for a well-earned cuppa and chat with the Lord Mayor, before he left for another meeting in town.

Thank you, Lord Mayor and the FoSOC Committee members.

Text and Phots Val Ferguson

Thanks to Bruce Larner for allowing FoSOC the use of his photos taken of the Old Cemetery