About Friends of the Masbrough Chapel and Walker Mausoleum
Press Release
From our meeting on April 27 the committee of the Friends of the Masbrough Chapel and Walker Mausoleum have decided to publicly express our frustration about the deplorable state of the site and the lengthy delay in getting access to change this. This site is important in explaining part of Rotherham’s history. The Chapel and Mausoleum were built in the 18th century by the Walker family whose iron foundry changed the face of the town forever. The burial ground is one of only three in the country attached to an Independent Chapel and is therefore unique.The group was formed in summer 2002 to protect the site and since then have held talks, tours, quizzes and fund raising events. We have worked closely with and received invaluable help from individual members of the Libraries, Museums and Arts, and the Regeneration sections of Rotherham Council and through this recently secured over £70,000 of funding in man hours and grants for the renovation of the Mausoleum and its grounds. A York-based architect drew up plans and builders were preparing to go on site to carry out the work, with the intention to open the Mausoleum to the public in summer 2004. However the owner of the Chapel and burial ground, Mr Khaliq refused them access to his land to rebuild boundary walls of the Mausoleum. Since then an impasse has taken place.
Last year Mr Guy Kilminster, Manager of the Museums, Libraries and Arts, visited our committee on several occasions and explained that negotiations had been initiated between the council and the owner. When these broke down we were assured that legal proceedings would begin to activate a 1968 Agreement the council has to enter the site and maintain the burial ground and Mausoleum. We have asked the council and the legal department for regular updates but have received none. Meanwhile the site has endured another winter and the irreparable damage this can cause.
As a group we attend History Fairs and events and want to plan a series of talks and presentations for our members who must think we have disbanded, but without knowing at what stage the situation is in we feel at a loss. The final straw to us was when we were told by chance that Mr Khaliq has offered the Mausoleum for sale to the council! He does not own the Mausoleum or the land it is built on as the Land Registry map shows clearly.
We have waited for the situation to improve for three years now and feel we have been patient long enough. We do not want the site to go the way of the Three Cranes on the High Street. Please help us save it.
Sign the petition
©2004