THE ashes of a Knutsford historian have been buried next to an author she championed across the world.

Joan Leach died at Tabley House Nursing Home, on September 30, last year, aged 77 after a short illness.

Joan’s favourite writer, Elizabeth Gaskell, is best remembered as the author of Cranford, the novel that immortalised the town in which she grew up.

Joan dedicated much of her life to Gaskell and her works, even helping set up the Gaskell Society in 1985, which is now a worldwide organisation with almost 600 members.

And on Sunday, May 22, Joan’s ashes were buried in a plot at the foot of Mrs Gaskell’s grave at Brook Street Unitarian Chapel, in Knutsford.

A plaque was installed detailing Joan’s life and acknowledging her as one of the town’s greatest historians.

Minister Jean Bradley, from the chapel, said the memorial was attended by family and close friends of Joan.

“The service was held after the main service in the chapel and was attended by her family and those from the Gaskell Society,” she said.

“Joan’s ashes were put at the foot of Mrs Gaskell’s grave on a plot of land. A few members of the chapel committee and myself looked for a plot of land near Mrs Gaskell as the family and ourselves thought it would be appropriate she was as near her as possible.”

Talk about this on our website at knutsfordguardian.co.uk.