Visit to the Vehlo and Nuevo Cemeteries, Mile End

Earlier in April seventeen of us visited the oldest Sephardic Jewish cemeteries in the country. They date back to the 17th century and are now part of the Queen Mary University Campus. The Neuvo (new ) Cemetery is open to the general public and looked particularly beautiful on our visit as it was carpeted with bluebells.
The Vehlo (old) cemetery is also accessible to the public but can only be visited by prior arrangement, so we felt quite privileged seeing this peaceful, tranquil space. Whilst on the Campus we also looked at the People’s Palace, the Queen’s Building and the Watchtower. The whole area is steeped in a proud local history - well worth a visit, but do your own research beforehand as you will find little information around the buildings themselves. Fortunately we had our own experts amongst us - Ron had worked on the new buildings ( which had led to dismantling of a large section of the Nuevo Cemetery ) Queen Mary University acquired the cemetery in order to expand the campus.
Phillip ( an ex QM history student) also talked of the technical and scientific innovations historically developed at the technical school and university.

After a very interesting and busy morning eleven of us walked back to Burdett Rd and had lunch in the Orange Room Lebanese Restaurant.
Would definitely recommend.
I would like to thank Patricia Lowe for suggesting visiting the cemeteries ( when the bluebells are out) and the restaurant.