Walking Southern Cemetery today and uncovering an Armenian grave, the last resting place of a famous footballer and much more

Tony in full flow

Anyone who went on Tony O'Mahony’s walk around Southern Cemetery last year will remember the rain, the site of the pauper’s graves,  some interesting  stories and a fascinating insight into the plant and wildlife of the place.

So I was looking forward to his talk today and it fulfilled all my expectations.

The sun shone and along with some interesting nature there was plenty of old fashioned history. including four graves which Tony had selected for special attention.

The grave of Satinik Kouyoumjian

These included the  majestic tombstone of  Satinik Kouyoumjian of Manchester's  Armenian community, that of Lt Cyril Bayley who was featured in a Chorlton History Group talk last year and the footballer Alex Bell.

There were of course plenty that we came across along the way from politicians, and businessmen to the great and the good as well as those who were loving parents adored children or remembered relatives.

All of which were a prelude to Tony's mystery personality which turned out to be  Wilfred Pickles, ............ pause for many to ask who?

To which I could say you should have been with us to find out or just wait till I get round to writing about him.

And write about him I will partly because I grew up listening to him on the wireless with that catch phrase of "put it on the table Mabel" and partly because there is a mystery here which none of us on this sunny day could answer.

Looking towards the West Chapel

Wilfred Pickles was born in Harrogate and never lost his Yorkshire accent and  he lived in the south, but was buried here.  It may be that this was a family grave because his wife, parents in law and son were all buried in the same plot.  Or there may be a connection with High Lane.

All of which is a story to tell for another time and just leaves me to thank Tony

Listening intently

Pictures; from the collection of Andrew Simpson