HOW TO RESTORE OLD GRAVES, Undercliffe Cemetery, Bradford

𝗔 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗜𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘 𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗬𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗦!
𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗽𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀!
In this video we take you on a short journey on how the volunteers at the Undercliffe Cemetery in Bradford, restore an old collapsed grave.
A small team of volunteers headed by Graham Swain (Bradford Grave Digger), shows the process and the battle they face on how to restore an old collapsed grave.
𝗔 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼.
𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗺𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆
www.undercliffecemetery.co.uk/
If you have any comments and questions about grave restoration or about the cemetery, please put them in the comments section, and we may end up doing a sequel to this and answer your questions.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗢𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼
James Beetham was born in 1852 at Laisterdyke, Bradford, he became a house painter.
On the 2nd April 1875 at Bradford Moor Chapel he married Rose Ann Land.
James at the time of marriage was living at Mortimer Row his father also James on his marriage record is shown as a Farmer.
In 1891 and 1901 they were living at 15 Alma Place, Bradford.
They had 3 children Charles Percy, Ernest Land and Frank.
In 1911 they now lived at 115 Lower Rushton Road.
James died on the 18th October 1923 at the Bradford Royal Infirmary. He left his estate of £3878 to his widow Rose Anne. At some point Rose moved to St Martins Road at Blackpool.
Rose died in Blackpool on the 18th April 1936.
Both are buried at Undercliffe Cemetery.
Ernest Land Beetham was born 22nd September 1879 at Bradford.
On the 12th July 1900 at Bradford St Peter ( Bradford Cathedral ) he married Laura Tattersfield who lived at 84 Rufford Street, Bradford.
On the 13th of February 1901 they had a daughter Laura Beatrice Beetham.
On the 2nd March 1901 Laura his wife died. She is buried in the family grave at Undercliffe.
Ernest Land Beetham now a widower, lived with his parents and daughter at 3 Alma Place, his occupation was a painter.
On the 11th August 1904 at St Marys Church Laisterdyke he married Rose Mary Clayton a spinster.
In 1911 he and Rose were living at 4 Tattersfield Street, Ossett, he was employed as a domestic Chauffeur.
By 1939 he and Rose had moved to 18 Broadway, Wakefield, he was now employed as a motor mechanic foreman.
Rose died on the 22nd February 1948 in Cheshire.
Ernest Land who was living at 5 Westminster Drive, Bromborough, Cheshire his daughters address died on the 5th August 1950 at the Barony Hospital, Nantwich, Cheshire.
His daughter Laura Beatrice married George H Mellor in 1924 at Bradford, she died in 1996.
𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: No close up footage was taken of any sensitive material.
𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 , 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁
tinyurl.com/3afswvfm
Peace!
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Hi! My name is Riaz Ahmed , born and bred in Bradford, UK. As you can see I have a taste for history, capturing interesting moments and eye for quirkiness!
If you live around the West Yorkshire area, I am sure you will like to view some of my videos. Better still , hope to reach out much further and interact with the viewer.
Thanks for watching.
#bradford #undercliffe

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 , 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 tinyurl.com/3afswvfm

[@pictureperfectcake4076]

Our grandmother, aunt and uncle are buried at Undercliffe. I lived there and used to go to the graves to tidy them up but now I live in Canada so cannot get there. Thank you to the volunteers who are keeping the cemetery in good order. It is greatly appreciated.

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

Thank you for watching and commenting. It's an endless task. Bless all involved.

[@pictureperfectcake4076]

@@BradfordThroughTheLens I can fully understand that as the graves were falling apart when I used to visit as a child. And then there was a lot of vandalism to add to the problem. I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate your work.

[@RType2966]

Credit to the people that maintain and repair these Graves. Thank you

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

Much Respect 🙏 and such a skilled job.

[@Lynsey2024]

What a fantastic job these volunteers do to preserve these graves,well done 👌👍😁

[@JohnKay-vh2df]

Brilliant guys.Well done.

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

🙏👌🏻

[@kristieandjeff2720]

Hello from East Texas, USA 👋 I just stumbled across this video and these guys did an amazing job restoring that grave 👍 I see alot of negative comments left on this video..they must not have watched the entire video because the end result looks fantastic! Thank you to each and every one of those volunteers for what they are doing ❤

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

Totally 👍🏾 agree. You really do have to see the final result and anything that's disturbed in the process will be put back in place. Thanks for watching.

[@paulwoodcock8537]

What a fascinating video thank you lads for bringing us this also special thanks to the Undercliffe volunteers 👍

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

Each grave has its challenges. Hopefully, I will bring you a few more variations in the future. Thanks 👍🏼

[@bevashton8157]

Respect to all volunteers involved. Great video thank you

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

👍🏼

[@markmemphis7313]

I salute the work of the volunteers and what a top bloke Graham is!!! A very informative video and fascinating from start to finish. You've pulled together a real beaut fellas 👍😃

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

Thank you 👍🏼

[@patcordingley2751]

great work guys, respect to the volunteers

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

💯🙏👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@rogerfearnside2931]

My great-great grandfather Thomas Haigh of Manor Row was buried here in 1876 (maybe ? 1878 from memory) following his funeral at the Kirkgate Weslyan Chapel, where he seems to have been a leading light. His funeral card carried a pencil note stating "This is the gentleman who had a mile of carriages at his funeral". I wonder what the family would have thought if they had known what might happen to these grand graves only a century and a half afterwards!

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

Very interesting information, and thanks for commenting 🙂 They all need to be preserved until it not physically possible. They give us insight to our social history.

[@jamiebrook9009]

Great work Graham Working tirelessly as always 😁

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

👍🏼

[@raishasan955]

What an awesome and very informative video by the legendary grave digger. Very pleased that once again history is being shared in great depth by so many talented people. Well done once again.

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

I'm glad you enjoyed it 😊 Thanks

[@Ehssan7825]

I am a massive fan of your channel, keep it up ❤

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

Thank you. Enjoy our latest instalment :-)

[@zee335]

What a marvelous job Graham does for the community a wonderful chap

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

💯

[@LaSombra150]

lovely to see the restorations. graves cared for.

[@jackk3573]

Brilliant loved this would love to see more videos based around this as old graves and grave yards fascinate me great work guys

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Sure , we will plan to do some more in the future. Thanks for watching 👀

[@leebrannan4185]

This is what the uk government should be doing all through the uk mandatory on all cemeteries old & new

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

👍🏼💯

[@grindelston5968]

Lol there's a lot of things the government should be doing but they dont. They aren't right keen on us northerners . Really interesting video btw.

[@fatlad5090]

brilliant lads. This is good work. Full place needs restoring

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

👍🏼

[@giggles8458]

Thank you for sharing!

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

Thanks for watching

[@bernardarnaud6808]

Great job guy's, I really enjoyed watching the repair, kind regards Bernard, from Manitoba Canada

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

Thank you

[@amanda166]

Wonderful work you are doing

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

Thank you

[@matparks08]

I found that fascinating. Helping to restore some of Todmorden's graveyards, it takes some work! Glad to finally find out why they're always covered in ivy! Good work all. 👌

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

👍🏼💯

[@andrewbiny913]

I remember seeing graham on either a ch5 or ch4 about bradford a few years back

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

That's right. Quite a character.

[@martindrogers]

An amazing endeavor! Thank You!

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

Thanks 👍🏼

[@dianemorris4343]

Great videos guys. Credit to the people who work hard to repair the graves and the volunteers are amazing.

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

🙏👍🏼

[@gr3yvix0n]

This was a great insight into what happens to the graves that have fallen in on themselves, I never thought it could be something so simple as a tree, and ivy on graves I also wondered how it got there, thank you for sharing this video and an amazing job by the volunteers aswell, I like how you put the history of the family in the description I found that a very interesting read, I love all history to do with bradford so this was right up my street, thank you once again I will be checking more of your content out, stay safe and take care ❤

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

We are really glad you enjoyed it and got something from it. Thanks for watching ✌️

[@roberthargrave2212]

Thank you, very informative and enjoyable as always

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

🙏

[@127cmore]

The quarry in Scotland is Peterhead, not Peterlee

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

Thank you

[@saakib9426]

Yes Graham 😂👍🏽

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

😀

[@tonybilco1317]

Loved this one thankyou was lovely to see the great work these amazing volunteers do dont think they are thanked and praised enough which is such a shame I'd never have known its them who give there time and dedication if it wasn't for this video..

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

Something different from our usual videos. As for the volunteers, such an endless job. We salute them. Not only respecting the dead , but restoring history. Thanks for watching 👀 🙂

[@kasper52173]

Thanks for posting this.

[@letsmooch4857]

Nice one.

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

👍🏼

[@isabelwright8910]

Great job really good of you all to look after the graves ty

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

🙏

[@ecc84]

Thanks for an absolutely fascinating video gents, and thanks to the volunteers at the cemetery for letting you film it.

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

Thank you 👍🏾

[@kazmc4]

Great work well done

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

👍🏾

[@report-all-potholes-and-ro2712]

Amazing work by the volunteers, but I was concerned at them working below a mended headstone, before the concrete had set, could have toppled onto them.

[@amnakhan763]

it's good to repair and maintain graves, put a flower for respect even if their not your relative.

[@alisonshaw7165]

Proper interesting

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

Thank you 👍🏼

[@brookedavis3578]

How do remains disappear in 70 years? When we are still digging up remains 200 years plus old..doesn't make sense

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

👍🏼🏆

[@grindelston5968]

I was thinking that, it'll probably depend on weather conditions and they use formaldehyde on everybody nowadays. Also Graham the gravedigger did say that a lot of these burials didn't use a coffin and they were just burried wrapped in a shroud. But I'm not an expert or owt!

[@gundogable]

It would be more safer and dignified if they back filled the vault with soil/ clay. They are also creating additional damage and the risk of collapse to other vaults by using the machine.

[@LaSombra150]

swainy (graham) was my mums builder for years before he became a grave digger!

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

Proper old school and a great guy. Thanks for your comment 👍🏾

[@LaSombra150]

@@BradfordThroughTheLens he is, has a right sense of humor .

[@Popo_1973]

I found this through TikTok

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

Excellent 👍🏼 Thanks

[@gmapapah]

I don't understand---why do they just not fill the hole?

[@akrecyclingltd]

It is not infilled as it's reserved for family members who choose to be buried in the grave without the need to re-dig out earth etc to a considerable depth.

[@gmapapah]

@@akrecyclingltd Thank you----So then are the future deaths not buried in caskets and vaults, just laid in there on the "shelved" areas?

[@cmg6848]

He quite clearly tells you that they are vaults and each wall is shared with the next grave so the weight of dumping tons of soil in the hole would push the wall in on the next grave and it would also collapse.

[@matthewbacon5734]

Someone else might want to go in it, you never know.

[@matthewbacon5734]

That would do me if it were my grampapah @@gmapapah

[@rgh9532]

Really shouldn't lift the kerb stones. Just cut the flags to fit the existing structure.

[@cmg6848]

He explains why he lifted the kerb stone. The over hang is so great that if the slab is any smaller it will be to small to rest on the ledges.

[@thomasmint1761]

As soon as you said no sensitive videos will be shot, I stopped watching

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

☺️

[@davidwiddop9687]

silly amount of commercials in this video , Whilst the video was informative the amount of commercial advertisements that kept coming in was too many and spoilt what could have been a very interesting video .

[@BradfordThroughTheLens]

Apologies. It's very annoying. I will look into it.

[@grindelston5968]

Oh , I didn't get any ads. I never seem to get very many on my tablet, but when I watch stuff on my phone , I get loads of them. I don't know why this is.

[@DamnDealDone]

Absolute disgrace what the council allowed to happen to this cemetery.

[@grindelston5968]

Aye. I sometimes think the country would collapse without voluntary workers.