Glasgow Necropolis charity celebrates 20th anniversary

The Herald Scotland

2 days ago

Fast-forward to now, and that idea has flourished into a 140-member strong organisation that's raised more than £100,000 to be used on the cemetery.
Annette Mullen, 62, became chair of the charity two years ago when she retired from her job in financial services.
Annette, who lives in Tollcross, explained how she sees the place.
She said: "She's one of the city's magnificent treasures.
"I've always thought of her as a 'she', she's a place of nurture and care for Glasgow's citizens in both life and death.
Glasgow Necropolis charity celebrates 20th anniversary (Image: Newsquest/Robert Perry) READ MORE: 'It'll overshadow everything': Locals react to O2 ABC plans for historic site
"And the great thing about it is that it's inter-denominational. There are people of all faiths and no faith buried here.
"They're not just a bit of stone. These were people. Every single stone in this cemetery has a story."
Annette leads the 14 committee members and is also one of the 10 guides they offer for group and private tours of the 37-acre site.
They're more than just tour guides. They're the key to unlocking the city's history.
The land where the Glasgow Necropolis stands was owned by the Merchants House from 1640 until 1966, when it came under the council's control.
Due to budget cuts and under-investment, the Necropolis has suffered from natural decay and vandalism.
Founding chairperson, Nigel Willis (Image: Supplied) That's where The Friends come in. They not only provide tours but also raise funds and help to restore and preserve the site, and every penny they raise goes back into it.
You can't talk about the charity without speaking about the founding chairperson, Nigel Willis, who passed away in 2021. Annette couldn't stress enough how much of a "very special man" he was and the legacy he left.
Any visitor to the Necropolis is in for a treat, especially if they're on one of the tours.
Annette explains: "It's full of inspirational people who changed the city of Glasgow.
"Once you step beyond the gates, which are the original ones from 1837 by the way, you step from the land of the living to the land of the dead.
"And oh, the stories that they have to tell!
"It's amazing how alive you can feel when surrounded by all the dead."
Annette Mullen, 62, giving a tour of the Necropolis (Image: Newsquest/Robert Perry) The first burial took place on September 12, 1832, for a Jewish man named Joseph Levy, a 62-year-old quill merchant who died from cholera.
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He was the first of nearly 52,000 people to be buried there, with approximately 3,500 visible tombs and mausoleums.
There are also areas of common grave where people were buried without a headstone, but their names are recorded in the books of internment - another of the charity's roles.
The 'Jewish quarter' where Joseph Levy is buried (Image: Newsquest/Robert Perry)
Annette could spend all day, and does, talking about the Necropolis, but has honed the highlights down into a tour which takes a couple of hours.
On that tour, you'll see not only Joseph Levy's grave but also that of people who have contributed to saving or shaping the city.
Annette said: "Some people might not have the big mausoleums, but they're as important as any of the rest of them in here.
"My favourite is actually the memorial to the 19 firemen who died fighting the Cheapside Street fire.
"On the other side of that stone are the names of seven wonderful firemen who gave their lives 12 years later on Kilbirnie Street.
"One of those firemen, William Hooper, stood shoulder to shoulder with his colleagues on Cheapside Street and stayed in the fire service before giving his life that day.
"These are the heroes of this city."
The Cheapside Street memorial, the fire was on March 28, 1960 (Image: Newsquest/Robert Perry) Soon, the Necropolis will be 200 years old, having officially opened her business in 1833.
It attracts visitors from all over the world and has even starred in films like The Batman starring Robert Pattinson.
Annette finished off by saying: "Why would you visit Glasgow and not come here?
"It's magical. And it connects every cultural and significant thing that's happened here.
"It should be the starting point for anyone trying to truly get to know the city."
The 'Bridge of Sighs' leads you into the Necropolis (Image: Newsquest/Robert Perry) Volunteers from the Friends of Glasgow Necropolis give tours of the necropolis year-round. They do it "for the love of it" and to keep the site available for education, conservation, and restoration.
They're giving a special 20th anniversary tour with Cemetery Historian and Sculpture Consultant Gary Nisbet on Sunday, June 22nd, at 10:30.
You can find out more about the charity and tours here.