They shall have their memorial

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A quiet ceremonial took place at Rye Cemetery on Tuesday September 13.  About 20 people gathered in the evening sunlight to witness the unveiling of a plaque in memory of those former workhouse residents buried in unmarked graves. Chris McGrath, the idea’s originator, welcomed those attending, most of them connected in some way with the project as described recently in Rye News

Christopher McGrath holding the record sheet
Christopher McGrath holding the record sheet

Further research is being undertaken with the help of Rosemary Burt, cemeteries officer for Rother District Council, combing through old burial records. After a short prayer led by Team Rector David Frost, the plaque was unveiled by Paul Osborne, chairman of Rother District Council.

Amongst those present was James Arter, one of the last four remaining residents at Hill House, the former Rye Union Workhouse. The building owner, Orbit Housing Association, has been encouraging residents to find alternative accommodation, he says, apparently because the building has become too expensive to maintain. At present it remains an architectural link with Rye’s history, with its adjacent graveyard a reminder of a bygone era.

photo: Kenneth Bird

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