Gabrielle Ray’s grave

 

The new grave of Miss Gabrielle Ray at Englefield Green, Egham

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Gabrielle Ray’s grave

 

Miss Ray finally has a new grave stone thanks to The Musical Hall Guild

Gabrielle Ray’s grave

I visited Gabrielle Ray’s grave again this week only to be disappointing yet again that the promised restoration has not started despite the offer of funds to bring about a fitting memorial; someone wrote that hope is nothing without the individual taking direct action to affect change, however, sometimes direct action just isn’t enough

 

 

Gabrielle Ray’s grave

I visited Miss Ray’s grave again this Sunday (6th September) and despite the comments from  The Musical Hall Guild in a previous post Gabrielle Ray Memorial that work would proceed in due course, that “due course” seems dreadfully slow.

Gabrielle Ray – Grave

This picture of Miss Ray’s grave taken last week by Bob Green (EGVRA – Englefield Green Village Residents’ Association) shows the shabby state  of her memorial

 

 

 

 

Stockport’s Heritage

Thank you to Stockport’s Heritage for adding a short piece about the future restoration of Miss Ray’s grave.

Gabrielle Ray Memorial

In 2011 I visited Miss Ray’s grave in Egham and was disappointed that her grave had been allowed to become “unloved.” After some investigation I learnt from Robert Walters, who not only has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Edwardian theatre but was the driving force behind Spockport honouring Miss Ray with the prestigious Blue Plaque that The Musical Hall Guild now have taken over the legal responsibility for the care of her grave. After contacting the Guild I was advised that the work would be carried out as funds became available. In 2012 I paid another visit, only to be greeted with the same shabby grave. After visiting their site several times it was clear that the Music Hall Guild have been responsible for several magnificent restorations but like all charities confined by the level of donations. I contacted a couple of funeral directors in Egham who kindly sent me the necessary information to enable an offer to fund a new stone myself but as the legal owners their permission would be necessary. When I contacted the Guild with my offer,  I also gave an undertaking that the choice of monument and inscription would be with their agreement. I also contacted Evergreen Memorials as at the time their link was available on the Guild’s site. Unfortunately the reply from Neil Morkunas, Chairman, The Music Hall Guild of Great Britain and America was disappointing, “Whilst we appreciate your concern to want to clean or replace Gabrielle’s memorial, please be assured that we, as the legal owners of the grave, will be undertaking this work ourselves in due course.”

I responded to Mr Morkunas expressing my disappointment that they as a registered charity were in a position to refuse such an offer. I am pleased to say that his reply was warming, “As a registered charity we gratefully appreciate and welcome any donations towards the work that we do.  I note from the email chain below that we did invite you to make a donation to our charity for this cause, when funds were very low, however please note that funds for this project are now in place and we will be proceeding with the work, as I said, in due course, following consultations with Gabrielle’s family.  

I note also that you have contacted me through Evergreen Memorials and this email acknowledges that also.”

 I feel sure that the “The Music Hall Guild of Great Britain and America” will welcome any interest in their progress.

themusichallguild@btinternet.com

 

 

 

Gabrielle Ray – Grave

I visited Miss Ray’s grave last year and was dissapointed at the condition and equally dissapointed that a year later it remains in a sad state.

Gabrielle Ray – Grave

I recently visited Miss Ray’s grave which is in Englefield Green Cemetery, Egham. (Plot 37, grave 53). Sadly the headstone is rather grubby and in need of cleaning. Robert Waters placed a small plaque which is at the side of the headstone.

“An actor is soon forgotten – he reigns as a King a while: He’s feted, and cheered and honoured, and he basks in the Publics’ smile. But the moment his work is over, and gone is the power to please, He has drained the cup of pleasure and come to the bitter lees”   (1)

(1) [Sims, G. (1880) “Ballads of Babylon” Fuller, London (p 94)  http://www.archive.org/details/balladsofbabylon00sims ]

I recently contacted the Musical Hall Guild of Great Britain and America who have been assigned ownership of Miss Ray’s grave by her family and it is their intention to replace her memorial at a future date. As a charitable organisation they rely on donations to continue their work.

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