An 11-year-old boy is turning detective after finding two pictures from the mid 19th century in an old suitcase at Wellington cemetery.
Sam Caswell, was visiting Wellington cemetery with his brother Adam, eight, and cousin Catriona O’Brien-Quinn, nine, on Monday when he stumbled across the historic find.
Sam, who lives in Apley, said he enjoyed visiting the cemetery to read the gravestones and visit the grave of a friend.
He said: “We were wandering through the graveyard. We sometimes go to visit our friend Archie’s grave. I like reading the gravestones and looking at the carvings on them.
“I was with my Dad and I saw a big suitcase on the rubbish pile. I said to my dad ‘look, suitcases,’ and we opened them and the pictures were inside. There were some old envelopes too, but we opened them and they were empty.
“I would like to know who the people in the pictures are, and if no-one wants them back I’d like to keep the pictures.”
One photograph appears to show a group of workmen, possibly from the railway, while the other, a portrait of a gentleman, has the date ‘1854’ written in pencil on the back. Both are mounted on cardboard.
Anyone who can shed any light on the origins or the subjects of the photographs can contact him on 01952 258199.
by Pam Griffin