[Andrew Blakeney-Edwards' Headstone]

The band recently played at our Morris side's carol concert.

By playing Fred's concertina for In the Deep Midwinter we were able to unite two residents of Highgate Cemetery: Christina Rosetti[who wrote the words] and Fred Hobart. They almost certainly did not meet in life, but we were able to bring them together in death!

[Andrew Blakeney-Edwards' Headstone]

This discussion has recently been brought to my attention as Fred Hobart was my great grandfather.

 

His grave is in Highgate Cemetery in North London. This cemetery is divided between two locations and the east cemetery is famous as the location of Karl Marx' grave. Fred is in the, if anything, more interesting older west cemetery, home to many eminent C19th century figures and location of the famous catacombs.

However, as far as our family was concerned, it was their local cemetery and they had a liking for giving family members "a good send off" [they lived in Tufnell Park, nearby]. 

Fred is remembered within the family as a talented natural musician. It was said that he could hear a tune once and play it back, chords and all. He was much in demand on charabanc trips where he accompanied the singing and shared the beer. His daughter was awarded a place at the Royal College of Music so his talent ran in the family, but sadly not as far as me! 

The concertina was left to my grandfather by Fred who gave it to my mother and then passed to me. I have had it reconditioned and returned to playable condition. I use it regularly at the two folk groups I attend.

This is the concertina carved into the gravestone. It has been passed down the Hobart branch of my family and when it was reconditioned it had Fred's name and address written inside!