Monkey in Ince Cemetary

Why is a Monkey buried in Ince Cemetary?

Because it is dead.

Sorry gwim, but I'm sure you can understand the temptation.

Damn youuuuu, (Said in a Sideshow bob kinda way).
Sideshow Bob

Sorry gwim.

Wasn't it the pet of someone who lived in a house in the cemetary at Westwood? (not sure)

I dunno..Maybe it was a...a..a FRENCHMAN!..Sacre Bleu!

Aye, called Angus no doubt.

I can't remember why but its a true story, one of the first burials apparently. Will have to look it up.

Hi all

I beleive it was in Wigan Cemetery but the monkey was buried on the land BEFORE it was designated as a graveyard

It might be the monkey that was hung, on the coast of Hartlepool, because it was a French sailor?

Wigan Cemetery, yes, thats right but its still in Ince, which in itself causes alot of confusion. It opened in 1856.

Cheers for your input, each. I remember going into the cemetary, and on the left as you walk down, there was a building , then shortly after, a tree. The Monkey buried there or thereabouts, can't remember even if there was a marker for it. . Haven't been back for years but I may nip over to see if I can find it.

what time frame?

Mid 70's, Nicko. Just been up there on the bike, building is gone, tree is still there but no marker, and the grave diggers can't remember anything.

Jays are like that with acorns.

Yed may be confusing stories here, but wasn't there some connection with some sailor who brought a monkey home as a pet? (Probably mixing two local stories there though )

Dunno, what did he do with the pet's body when it died? Maybe, oh I dunno, buried it in ince cemetary....hhhhuuuu (Sudden intake of breath in an Uncle albert stylee) gasp
Bindun, but I love the gasp

Uncle alberts best bits

Just phoned a local character, Paul Sharples up. He confirms the Monkey buried and said I am right about the tree and the marker, but it is called Westwood cemetary, not ince/Wigan cemetary. He said he would show me the marker.(If it is still there), so I will take pictures.

"Wasn't it the pet of someone who lived in a house in the cemetary at Westwood? (not sure)"

There may be a mention of it in one of G.Shryhane's books. He has frequently commented about local boneyards etc. in the Observer. (Particularly about the smashed glass headstone.)

Good man that man. I didn't even see that post, Dostaf. As ever. you are sometimes right

Gwim was Paul Sharples dad in charge of The Crematorium part of Westwood Cemetery.

Yes, Andy. The late Mr. Sharples was indeed that Man.

Thanks Gwim I knew Ken S very well I also know Paul now you have said Ken the crem as we used to call him when he drank in the Old Hall pub.Is Paul's dad. What a character Ken was.

Indeed he was...Used to wake up at his house most Sat mornings after me & Spadge(Paul) got rather squiffy. Ken was a man I could listen to for Hours

The main was from Yorkshire - cut and pasted. but i am sure there are other monkeys
The monkey-hanging legend is the most famous story connected with Hartlepool. During the Napoleonic Wars a French ship was wrecked off the Hartlepool coast.

During the Napoleonic Wars there was a fear of a French invasion of Britain and much public concern about the possibility of French infiltrators and spies.

The fishermen of Hartlepool fearing an invasion kept a close watch on the French vessel as it struggled against the storm but when the vessel was severely battered and sunk they turned their attention to the wreckage washed ashore. Among the wreckage lay one wet and sorrowful looking survivor, the ship's pet monkey dressed to amuse in a military style uniform.

The fishermen apparently questioned the monkey and held a beach-based trial. Unfamiliar with what a Frenchman looked like they came to the conclusion that this monkey was a French spy and should be sentenced to death. The unfortunate creature was to die by hanging, with the mast of a fishing boat (a coble) providing a convenient gallows.

there was a man on deal or no deal from hartlepool and he said they call them monkey hangers

That's correct, I used to deliver tin-plate scrap from Heinz to Hartlepool everyday for about 10 years and I often saw a lorry with the name "Monkey-hanger" painted under the windscreen, I scratched,"This is a WIGGIN WAGGIN" on the back of my truck. E.T.

Put this on a long time ago when Tonker brought the subject up.

Was it a Primate?

I always believed it to be a monkey from a visiting circus that had died and they buried it just inside the gates to the left of Westwood Cememtery. Puts a new dimenison on to Stephen King's "Pet Cemetery" doesn't it?