Discover the magnificent and moving memorials in Southport’s historic Duke Street Cemetery, with stories ranging from a monumental mason to early football movers and shakers.
Duke Street Cemetery is full of hidden history and this tour can only skim the surface. We’ll start at the gates on Duke Street, introduce you to a monumental mason and the Victorian way of marking death, then take a walk to some of the key players (and non-players!) in Southport’s civic and footballing history.
Daniel Hayes has just published his book ‘The Town’s Game: The Origins of Rugby and Association Football in Southport 1872-1889. He will tell the stories of people the men involved, such as Ralph Rylance, one of the prime movers in the sports in Southport, James Fay, the Southport’s first football league captain, and Samuel Swire, a mayor of Southport and the first club president.
This is a pilot tour of the cemetery, so please come prepared to give feedback and suggestions on future events.
Event Times
Monday 12 September: Tour 17:30
Duke Street Cemetery, Duke Street, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 5EL
Booking Details
Pre-booking: Required
Pre-booking is essential as places are limited.
Go to: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/southport-townscape-heritage-project-34068500753
Booking opens: 29 August 2022 09:00
Booking closes: 12 September 2022 15:00
Access
We will be following paths in the cemetery, but some are fairly rough. Some graves may be off the paths so a close look may be difficult.
Additional Information
Max 16 people per tour/session. Tour takes up to 90 minutes.
Contact for the day: Sue Latimer 07816114885
www.southporttownscape.org.uk/
Directions
Meet outside the Cemetery entrance on Duke Street, beyond the crossroads with Cemetery Road. It takes about 30 minutes to walk and 10 minutes to drive from The Atkinson to the Cemetery, but allow for the possibility of delay at the railway crossing. Bus route 46 from Lord Street stops on Duke Street before the Cemetery Road crossroads. There is parking on Duke Street outside the Cemetery, and some spaces inside the gates – the Cemetery is locked at 7pm.
Organised by
Southport Townscape Heritage Project, Daniel Hayes, Green Sefton

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