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HIGH PIT WILMA · March 3, 2022

Hi Folks,a bit late,but just caught up with one!

Around 1962,my lass got me a camera for Christmas,and to gain experience and to learn how to drive it,[yes!..Shutter speed,aperture,focus,depth of field..rings!],I went around taking reference pics of objects and places which I knew would always be the same...including this stone.

Well ,I knew about this stone from being a kid about 10 yrs old..maybe younger!,cos us kids used to play all over Bedlington,Cemetary included!

Now my theory of objects I thought would never change,is blasted to hell!

I was saddened to see how this stone has deteriorated over the the last 60 years,since I took those pics!

Us kids always thought that the figures at each side were Werewolves!...I learned later in life that they were Gargoyles,and the purpose of them was to ward off evil spirits!..I stand to be re-educated on that one Canny Lass!

If ever I can find those old photos,I will post them,and you would see how much this stone has deteriorated,partly due to vandalism..the chips taken out of the top ridge suggests that modern kids haven't been like us kids,and just played,they have been destructive..we just used to climb the conker trees or play hidey seek in the dark neets!..

1741..it's stood there a long time eh?!

Canny lass · March 5, 2022

On 04/03/2022 at 00:06, HIGH PIT WILMA said:

Us kids always thought that the figures at each side were Werewolves!...I learned later in life that they were Gargoyles,and the purpose of them was to ward off evil spirits!..I stand to be re-educated on that one Canny Lass!

I've never heard of gargoyles on grave stones HPW. Mind you, I'm more interested in the text on gravestones myself. I've only ever heard of gargoyles on buildings - churches included and there they were allegedly designed to ward off eveil spirits and, I believe, had a secondary use as water spouts for rain water.

It's a pity that this stone is in such bad condition. It's not often I've seen anything from the 1700s. It has some of the typical symbols of mortality: bones (skull)and hour glass (left of skull) and of the life hereafter (angels wings) but I can't really see what's at the sides though the lower half could be drapes, representing sorrow. Either way, it's quite ornamental for the 1700s with lots of detail. It's not everybody who would be able to afford that so I think the 'occupant' must have been quite well to do.