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Quaker Meeting House and Burial Ground in Kibes Lane
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| The Quaker Burial Ground as it is today |
In Kibes Lane, sandwiched between the car parking areas, there is a quiet, tranquil area laid down to lawn and surrounded by trees and shrubs. Very few people know that this is all that is left of Ware's Quaker Meeting house and burial ground.
The Ware Quakers bought the land in 1728 and a meeting house was erected that same year and was registered in 1729.
The building was a modest one story structure fifty feet by thirty with three gables. It had a ministers gallery, a raised dais on which sat the Friends who were specially respected for what they said during Meetings for worship.
A garden adjoining the Meeting house was given to the Ware Friends by David Barclay of Youngsbury in 1777. David's brother John owned a bank where the modern day Barclay's Bank takes it's origin.
In 1864 the Meeting House closed but the burial ground continued to be used. A report form 1876 found that the build to be dilapidated and was eventually demolished in 1881. The materials from the demolition were sold for £20.
The site and burial ground remained in the Friend's possession until 1935 when it was sold to the Ware Urban District Council.
When the Society of Friends sold the burial ground, it did so for a very low sum in return for certain promises.
Minutes from the Hertford and Hitchin Monthly Meeting in November 1934 record. "We are willing to sell the land at a low price on the understanding that it is reserved for use as an open space or recreation ground."
Ware District Council acknowledged that they bought the land on the understanding that the character of the ground would be preserved and respected.
Today the burial ground contains over 200 graves though the grave stones are now long gone.
Related images
Location of Quaker Meeting House
Location of Graves
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