Gravestone in St James churchyard, Acc

[Atarah]

Hi, anyone know what the object represents at the top of this gravestone.

It's almost facing the door of what used to be The Tourist Information office in St James Street, now I believe a solictors.

Atarah

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by Atarah

Hi, anyone know what the object represents at the top of this gravestone.

It's almost facing the door of what used to be The Tourist Information office in St James Street, now I believe a solictors.

Atarah

Thought the writing on the gravestone might have given a clue, but its hard to read, well it is with my eyes anyway, wonder if it could have something to do with the Freemasons

[MargaretR]

Originally Posted by jaysay

Thought the writing on the gravestone might have given a clue, but its hard to read, well it is with my eyes anyway, wonder if it could have something to do with the Freemasons

I think it is the 'tree of life' symbol (used by freemasons too)
Tree of life - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[cashman]

i thought it was advertising n owd sex shop.

[Atarah]

It is an old musical instrument, known as an OPHICLEIDE. One of the original members of the Accrington Old Band and one of its most distinguished players was ADAM WESTWELL. He lived in Plantation Street, Accrington. Adam was a performer in the Band during the period when it was famous - a prizewinner at many contests. He is commemorated by the fine monument in St James churchyard. It was erected in 1859 to mark the spot where his mortal remains are laid. The original instrucment was once preserved in Oakhill Museum, but where it is now, is anybodys guess.


It is reported to have been invented in 1817 and patented in 1821 by French instrument maker Jean Hilaire Asté (also known as Halary or Haleri). However according to the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, Belgian musicologist François-Joseph Fétis said it was invented in 1790 by M. Frichot, a Frenchman living in London.[1] It was the structural cornerstone of the brass section of the Romantic orchestra, replacing the serpent, a Renaissance instrument which was thought to be outdated. Its long tubing bends back on itself. It is played with a cupped mouthpiece similar to brass instruments generally. It originally had nine keys, later expanded to as many as twelve keys, covering the large tone holes. The various members of the ophicleide family may be pitched in B♭, C, E♭, or F. The most common member is the bass ophicleide pitched in B♭ or C.

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by cashman

i thought it was advertising n owd sex shop.

Ya daft sod, fell of mi blood chair again, do stop it