Important Information: Please Read

[Andi R]

Yes folks have cleaned gravestones and now have second thoughts

I don't want to be a bore and I'm not saying I agree with it, but some of what is on the following site is the law, moss and lichen protected species . I knew of some of this but surprised

Please take a look at http://www.scottishgraveyards.org.uk/conservation4.shtml#5 and read not just this page but several others Ive highlighted an bold a few bits

I quote "4. Works that might affect the surface of a gravestone
• Resist the urge to remove moss, algae, mould and lichen unless you have sought expert guidance because removing it may damage the surface of the stone. Some lichens are rare; moss may be protecting the stone; removal may cause damage. You should also note that some species of lichen and moss are protected by law. Cleaning of stones is only recommended when there are good conservation reasons to do so; this requires the assessment of a stone professional conservator.
• You must seek specialist conservation advice before applying water repellants and consolidants.
• Turf protects carved surfaces. If you reveal buried parts of a stone, you will expose it to the effects of weathering and other potential sources of damage.
• Do not be tempted to take rubbings or presses from carved stones, or emphasize carvings with chalk; such processes are more damaging than you might think."

Apparently, taking rubbings really damages the surface of the stone.

The Health and safety issues came up with a few interesting things as well "If you are likely to come into contact with the soil, make sure that your tetanus immunisation is up-to-date."  which if you are as old as me you will have

I'll leave it there for now you do the reading and research on your head be it

AR

I'll just be more careful and go at night like a burglar  Seriously have a read

[Preshous]

Hi AR

I read the articles with interest and must say that I agree with most of it. However the bone of contention is that unless the stone is cleaned then it is totally useless, it might just as well be a rock in a field. I feel if anyone cleans a stone it should be recorded ie plotted on a map, photographed and the inscription written down. The records should be copied and made available for others to access to avoid the possibility of the stone being disturbed in the future. I photograph and transribe 1000s of gravestones every year and rarely clean a stone but it is something I will do, with extreme care I might add.

Gary

[Andi R]

Prehous

I hope no bone of contention with me, I'm just the bearer of the info, thought it was a informative site if all the bits looked at

I also take 100's of photos each year and record them in my own way this site actually has forms for the recording, which I may look at and use.

If you look at other posts of mine on this subject you will see my views on this subject, families in the past have in some cases struggled to afford these stones to remember their loved ones and these stone should be cared for, again that site explains the different stone, errosion and moss/lichen types

it explains about how a lot of stones aren't solid but a laminate

I have put a little kit together that I use when required to tidy the odd stone, all items being totally inert, not much water

I have attached 2 photos and it would be a shame if this got 'lost' in a pile of moss, as it is you can only read one, sadly

[Preshous]

Hi AR

My bone of contention is with the message the experts send regarding cleaning stones. I can understand the concern that many people looking for family stones will often clean a few stones before they find the stone they are looking for. If they don't record the stones that are of no interest to them then that is a waste. If we take your photos for instance if they where covered in moss and ivy then that would be a waste, but as you have recorded the image's then there would be no need to disturb the stone in the future. I strongly believe there should be a national database of gravestones.

Gary

[Mev]

Hi All

Just thought it might be worth mentioning the following website - www.gravestonephotos.com

Mev