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Markham burial ground restored

A ceremony to open and to dedicate the restored Markham burial ground took place on Friday 20 April, 100 years on since Rosa Markham became the first person to be buried there.

Charles Markham gave his former family home Tapton House to Chesterfield Borough Council and although the Council decided at a later date to lease much of the grounds to Sheffield International Venues (SIV) for use as a golf course, the small burial ground known as Markham’s Rest remained the direct responsibility of the Council. Markham’s Rest is the resting place of eight members of the locally well known Markham family. The family has a strong link with Chesterfield and its industrial past.

With financial help from the Markham family and SIV, the condition of Markham’s Rest has been restored and enhanced. The work mainly carried out by the Council’s Landscape & Streetscene service, and local companies Mounsey Memorials, Pugh Lewis and Ian Trueman Tree Services.

Among the guests at the ceremony were the Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Peter Barr and Mrs Jean Barr, the Council Leader, Cllr John Burrows and the Chief Executive, Huw Bowen along with members of the Markham family and local historian and author Tony Hallam.

Councillor Peter Barr, Mayor of Chesterfield said: “The Markham family played a very significant role in Chesterfield’s industrial heritage so it was a great honour to be here today for the opening and dedication ceremony and to meet members of the Markham family.”

The unique burial ground, which is set in a small tranquil woodland will now be brought to the attention of the many walkers of the Trans Pennine Trail, which passes close by. Information about the family and local history is now presented on an interpretive stone similar to the memorials on the site.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

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