So, I finally got round to looking at the graffiti carved on the wall outside my house.
It’s a drystone wall with a flat top made of large thick stone laid horizontally. The flat surface has provided an opportunity for someone to inscribe graffiti onto it… and my, how they have!
It is difficult to see in normal circumstances, even with low light, but I applied some chalk to the whole surface, leaving the carved bits in relief, and lo! It came to life.
I took a photo, and then messed around with the results, enhancing the contrast.
So, what can we see?
The initials P.B. and M.F. are very clear. I would suggest these were done at the same time, as they are of a similar size and are located in the same area of the stone. I need to go back and check the census returns for the house to see if anyone who lived here had those initials; it would be nice to put a name to the carving.
There is a geometric triangular design at the top – no idea what it is, but it must have meant something to someone… it’s difficult to doodle with a hammer and chisel!
There is the number ’17’ at the bottom, amongst a pile of other indistinct marks, and possibly the initials ‘J.D.’. Possibly the ’17’ could be the year 1917?
However, the biggest and best one is the ‘J.W. Ford’ framed by an archway, middle left. This is executed in a controlled careful script, almost formal, and has been thought out in advance – one wonders if the person doing it traced it out first. The archway, too, with its central boss, is very carefully carved. Actually the archway reminds me a little of the archway set over the road at the Whitfield well dressing, and I wonder if that was the inspiration, as it seems an odd thing to do, put an arch over your name.
Anyway, I shall investigate further to see if I can match up the names to people living here, via the census records. Standby for further updates.
RH
The Glossop Cabinet of Curiosities 