360° tour of Cole Hill Chapel Tamworth

As you may have heard, I volunteer for Find a Grave, responding to requests for pictures of particular gravestones, and adding missing graves. Along with the large and well known cemeteries and graveyards of Tamworth, I found a tiny one - Cole Hill Chapel, tucked away in the middle of Tamworth. The Chapel is now the Royal Naval Association Club, and its graveyard is used as their memorial garden. As a recent incomer to Tamworth, I was unsurprised to discover this little burial ground in Victoria Road, but I have since spoken to several locals who didn't know it existed, despite living here all their lives.

I was delighted to be welcomed to the Chapel last weekend to photograph the graves and memorials. I took my 360° camera along, just in case they would let me use it, and I was thrilled when they said yes - they are very proud of their premises and heritage, and they said they'd love me to photograph it.

I had a wonderful morning with the RNA members. They were so kind and interesting to talk to, and brilliantly cooperative. I have hidden behind many a tree, bush, and bin as a 360° photographer. There can be a lot of crouching, and even lying down, in some shoots. As I tell my clients, if you can see the camera, the camera can see you! The shot I got inside the club was fantastic, not a person to be seen, and you'd never know that the lovely members were literally hiding in every corner, including the porch, the kitchen, and even behind the bar counter!

When I discovered Cole Hill Chapel on Find a Grave, only 10 burials were listed and none of them had photos. I've found out that there are many more than ten burials - I've found 44 so far, and I am gradually adding the missing individuals to Find a Grave, with photographs of their memorials and grave markers, together with transcriptions and biographies. May they all rest in peace.