WALKERS and residents of Greta Bridge and Rokeby have welcomed the restoration of an historic graveyard.
Tombs and gravestones around Rokeby Church, adjacent to the A66, were completely overhauled by a team from Rokeby Estate.
It was also the last job done by estate foreman Tommy Tomlin ahead of his retirement last week.
The award-winning stonemason has spent 41 years with the estate, having arrived at age 29 after a stint working for Blagdon Estate, near Newcastle.
It took Mr Tomlin and colleague Phil Emmerson about seven weeks, working on and off, to restore the graveyard.
He said: “Some wanted stainless steel pins in because some of the crosses were snapped off. A lot of these [graves] go back to the 1700s. There is one from Abbey Bridge so it must have been when it was a toll bridge.”
Of particular note during the restoration was the overhaul of a ruined tomb, which now shows little evidence of the extensive damage it had received.
A public right of way passes by the church and it is a favourite of many walkers.
During his career, Mr Tomlin was called to do all manner of unusual jobs for the estate, including carving faux marble bases for busts and statues at Rokeby Hall.
He said: “You could be doing that one day and clearing a blocked drain and sewer the next. My main thing was stone work but there was also joinery, and plastering and painting. You have to do everything.”
His talents earned the estate several County Durham environment awards, including for the work on a ruined cottage at Egglestone Abbey that was restored as a holiday let. The team is currently refurbishing the old school building near Rokeby Church and converting it into a home.
All told, Mr Tomlin’s team are responsible for the maintenance of 12 farms, 50 rented homes, and several workshops, offices and holiday rentals.
Mr Tomlin retired on Friday, ahead of his 70th birthday on Saturday.
However, his name lives on at the estate as holiday lets near Cross Lanes were named Tomlin Cottages some years ago when the foreman’s 25 years of service was recognised.
An avid Newcastle United fan, Mr Tomlin hopes to see more live football during his retirement, as well as attending more music concerts.
He said: “My big passion is live concerts which started when I lived in Morpeth going to the Mayfair which used to be where the Gate in Newcastle is now.
“My favourite live bands now are The Killers, Kings of Leon, Snow Patrol, Bruce Springsteen and Pink.”
