Monday, January 13, 2025

Victoria Park Cemetery: Meath Gardens

Victoria Park Cemetery Gravestones
Headstones.

Victoria Park Cemetery opened in 1845 and was the last of the eight private garden cemeteries to open.

The cemetery was unconsecrated and, when it opened, had two chapels, designed by the architect Arthur Ashpitel, 

Victoria Park Cemetery gate
The great Gothic archway.

The great Gothic archway, restored in 2017, still stands at one of the entrances emblazoned with 'VPC 1845'.

During its short existence over 300,000 bodies were interred here, with three-quarters of them being children.

Although well-managed initially, it was a poor financial venture and became insolvent in 1853, leading to its closure in 1876.

Victoria Park Cemetery gravestones
Headstones.

Following its closure the monuments were cleared... But, the bodies were never removed.

Meath Gardens was opened by the Duke of York on Friday September 20, 1894.

Victoria Park Cemetery
Meath Gardens.

Tower Hamlets Remembers: COVID-19
This tree is in memory of those who lived in, worked for, and supported the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
Like this tree, they were rooted in this community.
And, like our gratitude, it continues to grow.
Planted October 2021

Covid-19 memorial tree
Tower Hamlets Remembers: COVID-19.

A Eucalyptus tree, planted in 1988, is in honour of King Cole, an Aboriginal cricketer who died on June 24, 1868, during the first Aboriginal cricket tour of the United Kingdom. He was buried in Victoria Park Cemetery.

King Cole memorial plaque
Bripumyarrimin, also known as King Cole.

Today, many people use the park for fitness, playing, recreation and community events.

Meath Gardens playground
Playground.

The great arched gate, emblazoned with 'VPC', and a few headstones, dotted around the gardens, are all that hark back to its previous life.

Victoria Park Cemetery Gate
Keilyn at the original entrance to Victoria Park Cemetery.

I wonder how many people who use these gardens, today, realise the history of the gardens and what lies beneath their feet?

2 comments:

  1. Very creepy to think of what lies below

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It makes you wonder what is below other parks and green spaces, throughout London.

      Delete