Featuring Robbie Ransom on 9th February at The Half Moon

In 1855 the Putney Burial Board bought three acres of land from Lord Spencer as a burial ground. Two chapels were built at the centre of the burial plot in 1855 to the design of Barratt and Birch. One chapel was for Anglican use and the other for Non-Conformists, the twin chapels are of a Gothic design, seating 20 or so mourners each and linked by a single porte cochere.

The graveyard was originally laid out with many paths and trees. The gravestones were also often of a fine standing. The cemetery lodge was built at the same time. The cemetery was surrounded by a wall and cast iron gates, forming an enclosure to keep animals out and to secure the site at night.

The cemetery was closed to regular burials many years ago, although existing graves could on occasion be used by relatives. The last burial was in the 1970s. Since then the chapels have not been used for religious purposes, rather they have become a storehouse and have fallen into disarray. The boundary wall is falling down and the paths unkempt.

A spokesperson for Friends Of Putney Lower Common Cemetery (Registered Charity Number: 1165360 ) told this websire: "Perhaps most distressing has been the vandalism inflicted on the tombstones over the years. The Putney lower common charity aims to restore the cemetery to its former glory and make it a wonderful place for people to visit. It will hopefully also serve to reclaim the cemetery surrounds for the use of Putney residents".

Work has already started on the chapels, which should be restored to their former glory by April. Next steps will focus on the repair to the boundary walls and the gates. Finally, the tombstones and pathways will be tackled. The whole project will take several years and need a great deal of aid, but at the end Putney will have a very, special place.

To help raise the much needed funds they have teamed up with The Half Moon pub to host a Concert for Putney Cemetry - a celebratory fundraiser featuring Putney raised Robbie Ransom, Tommy and Laurie from Lost Hollow Band (all the way from Nashville!!) and The Whiskey Poets. Tickets are £8 and can be bought online at the Halfmoon pub web site or £10 on the door on the 9th February at the Halfmoon.

With a debut album presently being mastered at Abbey Road and due for release in spring 2017 to be supported by a UK-wide tour, the future is suddenly looking very promising for Hammersmith-born singer-songwriter Robbie Ransom.


Robbie Ransom

Produced by Dan Swift (Snow Patrol, Art Brut), recorded at Brighton Electric Studios, Robbie’s love of songs that tell tales of people and places, love and heartbreak manifest themselves in lyrics that have a ‘Dear diary’ quality to them.

But despite being born and bred in Putney, Robbie’s sound is influenced almost exclusively by artists from the other side of the pond. Robbie said:
“I’d spend my summer holidays each year in Wyoming and we’d spend hours driving amongst vast landscapes listening to the rock and folk artists of the 1960’s and ‘70's, such as Simon & Garfunkel, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, The Band and the Doors. I fell in love with this music and it has influenced my own music much more than any British artists have – apart from Cat Stevens!”



Lost Hollow Lost Hollow - described as an emotional powerhouse - two amazing voices weaving intricate and powerful songs, is mainly comprised of Tommy and Lorrie Harden. Tommy has been a Nashville ‘A’ team studio musician for years. During his stint in Nashville, he as played on an estimated 7-10,000 recording sessions. Tommy has played on sessions for Taylor Swift, Alan Jackson, Craig Campbell, Kip Moore, Reba McEntire, David Allen Coe, Waylon Jennings, Lo Cash Cowboys, Tamia, Candi Staton, Big and Rich, John Anderson, George Jones, Jessica Simpson, and countless others. He has played on number 1 songs including “I Drive Your Truck” (ACM and CMA song of the year), “Girl I Just Got Started Loving You’ (most played song of the year), ‘Lost In This Moment’ (Big and Rich’s only #1 hit), and many, many others.



Also appearing are The Whiskey Poets, who started out as a small, country/blues outfit but have become much more than that with their unpretentious yet cool as hell debut ‘Low Country’.

Join Robbie Ransom in his home town on Thursday 9th February at one of South London’s most iconic venues - The Half Moon, Putney which promises to be an unforgettable night.

February 3, 2017