Friends of Newtown cemetery host mayor at midsummer tours
Angels, authors, artists and Japanese windows fascinate visitors
Angels and artists, the mayor of Newbury and beautifiul Japanese windows all formed part of an exciting midsummers open evening at Newtown Cemetery.
Organised by the Friends of Newtown Cemetery, the recent (Jun 24) open evening, in fine weather, was attended by mayor, Howard Bairstow, with the friends conducting an introductory and further, Angels, Artists and Authors hour-long tours, embracing some of the fascinating historical facts behind those buried in the cemetery.
Artists who crafted and presented Japanese paper windows to the friends were invited along to the evening, where the window designs were much admired by some 54 visitors - plus two dogs - after being installed in the chapel windows at the cemetery.
Organiser, Rosalind Clow, said it proved "Our most successful opening ever," with both tours well subscribed and continued:
"We signed up a new monument recorder and a 10 year old who wants to train to be a tour guide.She is so keen."
"Obviously the beautiful weather helped a lot; we usually shiver in rain on welcome days. Maybe the refreshments helped too. And the new windows made of Japanese mulberry paper especially designed for the chapel during Open Studios look amazing. A happy evening."