THE OLD JEWISH CEMETERY AUDIO TRAIL, LAMBHAY HILL, PLYMOUTH
Download the tracks to your phone or listen via this link
Located on Plymouth’s historic Hoe, in the shadow of The Citadel, lies a hidden secret: The Old Jewish Cemetery. Contained within high stone walls it has always remained hidden from public view. The only clue to its existence…an insignificant door.
Earlier this year that door was opened and for the first time in its history the general public were given the opportunity to step over the threshold. A few months later, with the aid of funding from Vital Sparks and the Drake Foundation an audio trail was created in the garden cemetery, bringing to life the lives of those buried within this hidden gem.
In 1740 this plot was a family garden; today it is a calm oasis that hides a wealth of history and culture.
Here’s an example of one of our stories… to hear more, click the link above
CONTACT DETAILS HERE FOR OPENING TIMES AND FOR ORGANISING GROUP TOURS
Our research…
Black, Doris BA The Plymouth Synagogue 1761-1961 Synagogue Publication
Fry, Helen (2915) The Jews of Plymouth Halsgrove: Somerset
Fry, Helen (2912) Jewish Cemeteries of Devon. e-book
Susser, Bernard BA (1972) An Account of the Old Jewish Cemetery on Plymouth Hoe. Bro-Cards:Plymouth
Susser, Bernard (1993) The Jews of South-West England: the rise and decline of their medieval and modern communities. The Exeter University Press:Exeter
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/the-women-silversmiths-of-england/
https://www.geni.com
ancestry.com
Thanks to Georgina Bellem and Jonathan Nicholson for sharing their family history with us and writing the biographies of their ancestors Rachel Bellem and Kitty Levi, buried in this ground. Also to Janet Henwood for sharing information she collected from the Plymouth Records office.
With special thanks to the custodian of the Plymouth Synagogue, Jerry Sibley, for helping every step of the way with information, contacts, tea and kosher cake.
With the voices of Derek Frood; Jo Loyn; Natalie McGrath; Ruth Mitchell; Jojo Moreschi; Jon Nash; David Prescott; Jerry Sibley & Josie Sutcliffe;
Sound design by Stage Technical Services
This audio trail is funded by Vital Sparks and the Plymouth Drake Foundation.
Here’s what they said…
Absolutely wonderful, been wanting to visit this cemetery for a long while. H Harris Beaumont.An absolute gem of social history. I can’t believe I have lived here 62 years and have only just discovered here. Thank you thank you
…amazing, a beautiful little gem that we are very honoured to have experienced.
Fascinating project, you really brought the tombstones to life! Such wonderful characters
Ruth wrote a blog about the making of the audio trail here
DAMNATION ALLEY
Damnation Alley is an audio piece to be listened to whilst walking a route around the Barbican and is available to download onto an MP3 player or smartphone here or here.
This download guides the participant on a journey that begins and ends at the Barbican Theatre, Castle Street Plymouth.
Damnation Alley was the nickname for Castle Street, a small street in the Barbican area of Plymouth that one time was known for its amount of ale houses and brothels. Inspired by an 1851 Government paper into the living conditions in Plymouth, the piece is part verbatum and part scripted. With thanks to Birlin publishers for the use of content from ‘Lost Plymouth’ by Felicity Goodall
Voices of Ruth Mitchell & Derek Frood, Sound Design by Belinda Dixon Media
A WORD IN YOUR EAR
