A Tomb With a View: The Stories and Glories of Graveyards - Peter Ross Talk

'A phenomenal, lyrical, beautiful book.' - Frank Turner

‘In his absorbing book about the lost and the gone, Peter Ross takes us from Flanders Fields to Milltown to Kensal Green, to melancholy islands and surprisingly lively ossuaries . . . a considered and moving book on the timely subject of how the dead are remembered, and how they go on working below the surface of our lives.’ – Hilary Mantel

‘Never has a book about death been so full of life. James Joyce and Charles Dickens would’ve loved it – a book that reveals much gravity in the humour and many stories in the graveyard. It also reveals Peter Ross to be among the best non-fiction writers in the country.’ – Andrew O’Hagan

‘His stories are always a joy’ – Ian Rankin

‘I’m a card-carrying admirer of Peter Ross’ – Robert Macfarlane

‘A startling, delight-filled tour of graveyards and the people who love them, dazzlingly told.’ – Denise Mina

For readers of The Salt Path, Mudlarking, Ghostland, Kathleen Jamie and Robert Macfarlane.

Join us at Southwark Cathedral for this talk by award-winning journalist and author Peter Ross on his latest publication A Tomb With a View: The Stories and Glories of Graveyards.

Enter a grave new world of fascination and delight as award-winning writer Peter Ross uncovers the stories and glories of graveyards. Who are London’s outcast dead and why is David Bowie their guardian angel? What is the remarkable truth about Phoebe Hessel, who disguised herself as a man to fight alongside her sweetheart, and went on to live in the reigns of five monarchs? Why is a Bristol cemetery the perfect wedding venue for goths?

All of these sorrowful mysteries – and many more – are answered in A Tomb With A View, a book for anyone who has ever wandered through a field of crooked headstones and wondered about the lives and deaths of those who lie beneath.

So push open the rusting gate, push back the ivy, and take a look inside…

Peter Ross is an award-winning journalist. A nine-times winner at the Scottish Press Awards and shortlisted for the Orwell journalism prize, he is a regular contributor to the Guardian and The Times. He is the author of the non-fiction collections Daunderlust and The Passion Of Harry Bingo, the latter shortlisted as non-fiction book of the year at the Saltire Society literary awards. He lives in Glasgow with a view of the tombs.

How are we keeping you safe?

We are committed to the continued well being of all those who visit, work and worship at Southwark Cathedral.

In our on-going efforts to assist our community in preventing the spread of COVID-19, we have implemented the following enhanced protocols and procedures you will notice during your time with us.

Numbers are strictly limited to ensure ensure we adhere by social-distancing.

A designated entrance, at the Churchyard gates on Bedale Street and designated exit through the Millennium Courtyard on Montague Close.

A one way route through the Cathedral that reinforces physical distancing guidelines.

The provision of hand sanitizer stations throughout the site.

Freely available toilet facilities to promote frequent handwashing.

Card and contactless only payment facilities.

Frequent cleaning and disinfecting of touchpoints including handles, rails, seating and toilet facilities.

Face coverings are mandatory inside the Cathedral unless exempted.

Seating will adhere to strict social distancing of at least 1m+ from each other.

Copies of pre-signed books will be available to purchase in advance or on the evening. There will be no book-signing.

What can I do to help?

Please visit us at another time if you or a member of your household or group are feeling unwell.

Wash your hands often using soap or water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser.

Wear a face covering.

Stay at least 1m+ away from others and follow the one way route around the Cathedral.

If you need to cough or sneeze, please do so into your elbow, not in your hand or the air.

Please note should this event need to be cancelled full refunds will be issued within 3-5 days of the event date.