Sharing A Can Of Lager With A Ghost In An Elland Churchyard

I was wandering around Elland churchyard on a lovely bright February day, looking at the gravestones and exchanging greetings with the couple of chaps enjoying an early can of Fosters Lager - the way one does. Churchyards are such special places - all that history beneath your feet. Every step takes you to a new family, every glance highlights a new life and a new death. I paused at the grave of the Lowly family, who came from the same part of the valley as I do. I said "hello" to John Lowly - who departed this life of the 30th day of October 1800 - and then passed on - the way one does.

HERE lieth interred the body of John the son of William Lowly of upper Coate, Shepherd at Fixby, who departed this life on the 21st day of May 1775 in the 15th year of his Age. HERE also was interred the Body of Rachel, Wife of the above mentioned William Lowly; who departed this Life on the 22nd Day of April 17?? in the 65th year of her Age. HERE also was interred the Body above mentioned William Lowly of Fixby, who departed his Life on the 15th Day of June 1788 bin the 65th Year of his Age. HERE also lieth interred the Body of Newyear Lowly of Elland, the Son of the above said William and Rachel Lowly who departed this life on the 7th Day of June 1799 in the 34th Year of his Age. ALSO was interred the Remains of John the Son of the above mentioned Newyear Lowly who departed this Life on the 30th Day of Oct 1800, Aged 20 Years. ALSO William Lowly who died September 5th 1812 in the 29th Year of his Age. 

An old newspaper blows across an old graveyard - history at its best.

"Recent letters from Mr Jackson, chaplain to the Colony in New South Wales, state its condition to be most promising; grain of all kinds, but more especially barley, was abundant; and some hop-feed, which about three years since was sent from England, had thriven on such a manner, that several plantations had been formed, and porter of the best quality brewed with it."

"Lord Nelson is supposed to be on board one of the packets from Hamburgh now at sea, with one of the Mails so long due, and anxiously expected. Lady Nelson is said to be waiting his arrival in town.”

John Lowly - the son of the aforementioned Newyear Lowly - departed this life on Thursday the 30th October 1800. On that day Britain was still at war with Spain and France. Whilst the newspapers were claiming that Lord Nelson was being anxiously awaited by Lady Nelson, it was, by now, Emma Hamilton who anxiously awaited him. In Australia the beginnings of the brewing industry that would eventually take us to that can of Fosters Lager were being established. And if you wanted to take a fast coach from Exeter to London you could just about make the journey in 24 hours.