Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 21 July 1893
Conisborough Burial Board
This body met at the Cemetery on Tuesday, when there were present Messrs. Kilner (chairman), Chambers, Nicholson, and Clarkson.
Churchman’s Fowls.
In reference to the complaint that Robt. Churchman’s fowls had been spoiling a grave by scratching up the flowers, &c., a letter was received from that gentleman craving an audience. When he came he was admitted and said he was condemned innocent.
In answer to the Chairman, he said nobody else about there kept fowls, but it was the horse did the most damage. He had seen the horse jumping about the grave many times. They talked about taking him to Doncaster, but he had plenty of evidence that the horse did the most mischief.
The Chairman said that all that was required of him was to keep his fowls out.
Churchman said he would destroy every fowl he had got if he thought they would cause any trouble, but William Smith had told him he had never been to the Board about it, and that he knew nothing about it. He did not like dragging through the press.
The Chairman said he would do well if he went through the world without being dragged through the press.
Mr. Churchman thought the horse should have been dragged through first. The fowls were no profit to him, for the foxes had killed at least 60 of them. He had served the chairman for ten years and had not found anything wrong about him.
The Chairman said that was correct.
Churchman, continuing, said it was the “Doncaster business” that stuck in his throat, and he believed it was Mr. Clarkson who was the first man.
The Chairman didn’t remember anything of the sort said.
Mr. Clarkson admitted having said that if he did not keep the fowls out then they would have to take him to Doncaster.
Mr. Nicholson said that if Churchman felt aggrieved he must put up for a member, there would be a vacancy soon.
Mr. Churchman said he would ask Mr. Whitfield to put up.
Mr. Clarkson said the job was not such an enviable one; they could have it.
The Chairman said someone would have to have it.
Mr. Churchman went out with the parting injunction to keep his fowls out.
Mr. Holmes Determined.
Mr. Clarkson said Mr. Holmes fully intended his resignation to take effect immediately. He would not alter his decision at all. It was decided that the clerk notify the churchwardens of Mr. Holmes’s resignation.
The Division of the Cemetery.
The Clerk said he had received the approval of the Secretary of State to the proposed division of the cemetery into consecrated and unconsecrated portions.
Mr. Chambers read from Baker’s Law Relating to Burials, which stated that application might be made in writing by the Burial Board to the Bishop of the Diocese for the consecration of the burying ground, when the ground was declared to be fit and proper for the purpose of interment, according to the rules of the Church of England. One of the conditions was that it should be the duty of the Burial Board to place such boundary marks, of stone or iron, as may be sufficient to show the boundaries of the consecrated and unconsecrated portions.
Mr. Nicholson understood the Conisborough churchyard was now finally closed.
The Clerk said he believed the Vicar had received a definite closing order on the Saturday.
Mr. Chambers said they would have to make application for the consecration to be carried out to the Archbishop, who was Bishop of the Diocese.
It was resolved that the clerk write to the Archbishop stating that the cemetery had received the sanction of the Secretary of State to the proposed division into consecrated and unconsecrated portions, and that the former was ready for consecration.