The exhumed tomb of Ong Seng Say (photo Raymond Goh)
Date: 9 June Saturday
Time: 9am to 11.30 am
Meeting Place: At the entrance gates of Bukit Brown at Lorong Halwa .
We will be covering Hill 2 and 5 – the heavily staked area of the cemetery affected by the 8 lane highway and which also cuts through the most beautiful valley in Bukit Brown…. PLUS a bonus of Oon Chim Neo – the largest single occupant tomb, and in the same vicinity the recently exhumed tomb of Ong Seah Say – a member of the Tong Meng Hui – the band of men who supported Sun Yat Sen’s revolutionary cause. Guide Su Lin will share her experience of documenting his private exhumation. Your other Guide is Claire
Join them as they “usher” you around Bukit Brown, and introduce you to some notable pioneers who had made great contributions to Singapore in the first half of the 20th century, as well as common citizens with interesting and heart-warming stories to share. Many of them are affected by the 8-lane highway. We also discuss the historical context of their lives and times.
Do register interest by clicking join on the FB event page for Saturday
For information on how to get there and handy tips please visit
http://bukitbrown.com/
==========================
Date: 10 June Sunday
Time 9 am to 12 pm
Meeting Place: Under the large and beautiful, and possibly endangered, rain tree, at the Roundabout. After the main gate, go forward another twenty metres, to the right of the SLA office
Discover the who’s who of Hill 3 with Peter Pak. According to our API map, that would be groups 5, 6, 11 and 12. Peter’s emphasis will be group 6 area, in particular.He will be covering the largest tomb Ong Sam Leong. From there, heading down to Chew Boon Lay. We will also be visiting the beautiful Teochew tombs of Leow Chia Heng and Low Peng Soy.
Here’s a map :
http://bukitbrown.com/
Do register interest on the FB event page for Sunday
Registration:
Our weekend public tours are FREE …
Optimally the group size is 30 participants (15 individuals/guide).
==========================
General information:
The tour:
The Bukit Brown area is about 233 hectares in extent, bordered by Lornie Road, Thomson Road and the Pan-Island Expressway. It lies just to the south of the Central Catchment Forest, being separated from it by Lornie Road and includes Singapore’s only Chinese Municipal Cemetery. With more than 100,000 graves, Bukit Brown is also one of the largest Chinese cemeteries outside of China.
Don’t forget to bask in the peaceful surrounds, and also chat with your guides and make friends with other participants. We are amateurs and volunteers, but we are passionate and serious about what we do at Bukit Brown, and we encourage sharing of knowledge.
==========================
Please take note:
1. We will be walking mainly on paved roads. But there are hill treks so dress appropriately, especially your footwear.
2. Wear light breathable clothing. Long pants and long sleeves if you are prone to insect bites or sunburn. Bring sun block and natural insect repellent.
3. Wear comfortable non-slip shoes, as safety is important. Walking sticks are recommended.
4. Do read up on Bukit Brown before going so you have a better understanding of the place (e.g. BukitBrown.com)
5. Do bring water, light snacks, poncho/umbrella, sunhat and waterproof your electronics.
6. A towel around your neck is a necessary fashion statement at Bukit Brown.
7. Please go to the toilet before coming. There are NO facilities anywhere there or nearby.
==========================
How to get there by MRT / Bus:
Bus services available: 52, 74, 93, 157, 165, 852, 855.
From North: Go to Marymount MRT and walk to bus stop #53019 along Upper Thomson Road. Take Buses 52, 74, 165, 852, 855
Alight 6 stops later at bus stop, #41149, opposite Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), Adam Road. Walk towards Sime Road in the direction of Kheam Hock Road until you see Lorong Halwa.
From South: Go to Botanic Gardens MRT and walk to bus stop #41121 at Adam Road, in front of Singapore Bible College. Take Buses 74, 93, 157, 165, 852, 855. Alight 2 stops later at bus stop, #41141, just before Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), Adam Road. Cross the bridge, walk towards Sime Road; follow the road until you see Lorong Halwa.
By car:
Turn in from Lornie Road, to Sime Road. Then, turn left into Lorong Halwa.
Parking space available at the largish paved area near the cemetery gates.
Ever since they were “discovered” in early 2012 – when volunteer guides started to trail Raymond Goh on his missions to help descendents find ancestors in Bukit Brown – they have been a talking point.
The “female” angel (photo Khoo Ee Hoon)
The “male” angel (photo Khoo Ee Hoon)
Dubbed “Naked Angels” by I believe one among the community, we speculated on their genesis and gender. And sometimes wondered about the ancestry behind the double tomb which is also guarded by a pair of sikh guards.
The Sikh Guard and the Naked Angel (photo Konamoto Dominic)
No one had visited in a very long time. To visit the tomb means being subject to being bitten not just by mozzies but also the most vengeful ants to be found thus far, for having their territory disturbed.
But just two weeks ago, a family contacted Raymond Goh whom he believed were the family who “owned” the angels. The community was excited. An appointment was made with Raymond for Saturday May 12 th. The pair of cousins who turned up after lunch time that day were perhaps a little taken back by Raymond’s entourage of five. If there were, they took it in their stride. At least two of the volunteers were familiar to them as they had attended a guided a tour just the previous week.
Armed with their family tree, Raymond helped “reconnect” them their great grandfather and his 3 wives, and their grandfather who died during the Japanese war. A grand total of 5 tombs!
This is your great grandfather Teo Chin Chay buried together with his first wife Gan Chwee Sian who was China born and had bound feet (photo Catherine Lim)
The inscriptions on the tomb stone are deeply carved and clear to read the names (photo Khoo Ee Hoon)
“Now let’s look for the other two wives. See the plot number again” with tomb keeper Lim in blue (photo Catherine Lim)
“Yes, this is one of the other of his wives “(photo Catherine Lim)
“As for the last wife…”.(photo Catherine Lim)
“Yes, I see her, she is also here, the last wife….”(photo Catherine Lim)
Finding grandfather was tough. (photo Khoo Ee Hoon)
“So you think Grandfather is over there?”(photo Khoo Ee Hoon)
They emerge after some 40 minutes “disappointed” (photo Catherine Lim)
Raymond had already bounded up the other side of the hill and penetrated deep into the bush (photo Khoo Ee Hoon)
“This is your grandfather” says a very satisfied Raymond (photo Khoo Ee Hoon)
“It took me quite some time to find it, but I have now familiarized myself with the pauper divisions, so much so that the tombkeepers themselves ask my assistance if they encounter difficult to find tombs in pauper divisions. This one is in Blk 3 Div 11, in the depths of the forest.” Raymond Goh
So ends another fruitful afternoon for Khoo Ee Hoon, Peter Pak, Chew Keng Kiat with Raymond Goh. But we still don’t know much about how it came to be that a wealthy trader and businessman by the name of Teo Chin Chay came to have a pair of such unusual angels guarding his tomb. Could it be a Western take to Golden Boy and Jade Girl? The mystery continues.
Reported by Catherine Lim who was there but did not go bush bashing up the hill!
Saturday 26 May No Morning Tours
Instead an afternoon tour at 1600-1730 from the good people at Post Museum
“We would like to invite you to join us for OutPost 15: Intro to Bukit Brown this Saturday (26 May). It’ll be a lovely guided walk around the lush forested area “which is the resting place of 100,000 members of our pioneering generations. Email admin@post-museum.org to get one of the 15 spaces available”.
More information available here
Bukit Brown Tour on Sunday, 27 May 2012
09:00 until 12:00
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Come for a leisurely stroll with our volunteer Guides: Peter and Keng Kiat (97903886), as they bring you around Bukit Brown, and introduce you to some notable pioneers who had made great contributions to Singapore in the first half of the 20th century. Many of them are affected by the 8-lane highway. We also discuss the historical context of their lives and times.
Date: 27 May, Sunday
Time: 9am to 12pm Meeting Place: Under the large and beautiful, and possibly endangered, rain tree, at the Roundabout. After the main gate, go forward another twenty metres, to the right of the SLA office For information on how to get there and handy tips please visit To register interest, please join this event on facebook here
 At Lee Kim Soo's grave Hill 2 (Photo: Claire Leow) ========================== Registration: Our weekend public tours are FREE … Please click ‘Join’ on the FB event page to let us know you are coming, how many pax are turning up, or just meet us at the starting point at 9am. We meet there rain or shine. ========================== The tour: The Bukit Brown area is about 233 hectares in extent, bordered by Lornie Road, Thomson Road and the Pan-Island Expressway. It lies just to the south of the Central Catchment Forest, being separated from it by Lornie Road and includes Singapore’s only Chinese Municipal Cemetery. With more than 100,000 graves, Bukit Brown is also one of the largest Chinese cemeteries outside of China. We will start with a safety briefing and quick history and geography of the grounds. Don’t forget to bask in the peaceful surrounds, and also chat with your guides and make friends with other participants. We are amateurs and volunteers, but we are passionate and serious about what we do at Bukit Brown, and we encourage sharing of knowledge. Here is a map of the grounds: We will not cover Ong Sam Leong’s (the largest tomb), nor will we visit Chew Geok Leong (with the coloured Sikh Guards). However, if there is time and repeat visitors who already know the way, they could show you how to get there. ========================== Please take note: 1. We will be walking mainly on paved roads. But there are hill treks so dress appropriately, especially your footwear. 2. Wear light breathable clothing. Long pants and long sleeves if you are prone to insect bites or sunburn. Bring sun block and natural insect repellent. 3. Wear comfortable non-slip shoes, as safety is important. Walking sticks are recommended. 4. Do read up on Bukit Brown before going so you have a better understanding of the place (e.g. BukitBrown.com) 5. Do bring water, light snacks, poncho/umbrella, sunhat and waterproof your electronics. 6. A towel around your neck is a necessary fashion statement at Bukit Brown. 7. Please go to the toilet before coming. There are NO facilities anywhere there or nearby. ========================== How to get there by MRT / Bus: Bus services available: 52, 74, 93, 157, 165, 852, 855. From North: Go to Marymount MRT and walk to bus stop #53019 along Upper Thomson Road. Take Buses 52, 74, 165, 852, 855 From South: Go to Botanic Gardens MRT and walk to bus stop #41121 at Adam Road, in front of Singapore Bible College. Take Buses 74, 93, 157, 165, 852, 855. Alight 2 stops later at bus stop, #41141, just before Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), Adam Road. Cross the bridge, walk towards Sime Road; follow the road until you see Lorong Halwa. By car: |
Lai Chee Kien in the Bukit Brown classroom (photo Khoo Ee Hoon)
This Wednesday, Dr. Lai Chee Kien will be sharing his findings during the course of his documentation work on Bukit Brown Cemetery.
The Material Culture of Bricks (photo Raymond Goh)
We are not just talking about bricks and mortar, but the social, economic and cultural history that can be gleaned from tombstone materials and design from the 223 hectare cemetery with tombs going as far back as the early 1800s.
Department of Architecture,
National University of Singapore
16 May 2012 (Wednesday)
7pm – 9pm
NUS Museum
Free Admission
For more information, please register here
On Saturday the 19th May NLB and All Things Bukit Brown presents:
“Bridging Your Past with Your Present – Tracing your Family History”
Hear about the exciting twists and turns of tracing your roots. This talk will showcase the various ways people have discovered their family histories, through selective case studies of persons buried at the Bukit Brown Cemetery.
The presentation is anchored by tomb whisperer Raymond Goh who doggedly bush bashes every weekend with some members of the Bukit Brown community who have also come to find satisfaction in helping descendents connect to their ancestors. Sharing their personal experiences will be Norman Cho, Lim Su Min and Serene Tan – all have been helped by Raymond in one way or another to unravel their family tree. They will also share additional resources which have aided in their personal discoveries.
Interested participants may also register for a guided tour of Bukit Brown Cemetery.
Date: Saturday May 19, 2012
Time: 05:00 PM – 06:30 PM
Venue: Level 5 – Possibility in National Library Building
Lang: English
Note: Registration is required without payment.
Fees: Free for 1 seat(s)
Please register here
The Guiding Guides Tour By Raymond Goh
Date: Saturday 19 May
Time: 8.30am – 11.30am
We are opening up to the public just 10 places to join a training tour conducted by Raymond for out student volunteers. The route covers the most “staked” area in Bukit Brown, Blocks 5 and 2 and pass the beautiful valley where the highway bridge will traverse. It starts off with the largest single tomb located off Kheam Hock Road belonging to Oon Chim Neo, stake number 77. Please meet for this tour outside the gates at the junction of Lorong Halwa and Kheam Hock.
Raymond showing off Chew Joo Chiat's tomb at the last session ( photo Catherine Lim)
For information on how to get there and handy tips please visit
http://bukitbrown.com/
Registration:
Please click ‘Join’ on this FB event page We meet rain or shine. For more information on getting there, please scroll down page for more details.
Time: 8.30am to 12pm
Date: 20 May, Sunday
Time: 8.30am to 12pm
Meeting Place: Under the large and beautiful, and possibly endangered, rain tree, at the Roundabout. After the main gate, go ahead another twenty metres, to the right of the SLA office
For information on how to get there and handy tips please visit
http://bukitbrown.com/
==========================
Registration:
Our weekend public tours are FREE …
Optimally the group size is 30 participants (15 individuals/guide).
Please click ‘Join’ on this FB event page to let us know you are coming, how many pax are turning up, or just meet us at the starting point at 9am. We meet there rain or shine.
==========================
The tour:
The Bukit Brown area is about 233 hectares in extent, bordered by Lornie Road, Thomson Road and the Pan-Island Expressway. It lies just to the south of the Central Catchment Forest, being separated from it by Lornie Road and includes Singapore’s only Chinese Municipal Cemetery. With more than 100,000 graves, Bukit Brown is also one of the largest Chinese cemeteries outside of China.
We will start with a safety briefing and quick history and geography of the grounds, and share with you the story of a man with a duo identity …
We will take a leisure climb to pay respect to a school founder, as the actual school teachers and students had recently done so …
We then take a side track and visit one of the important founders of Bukit Brown, who thankfully is not affected by the proposed highway …
Another arduous climb, and we will drop in on three neighbours from Semarang (Central Java) …
No visit to Bukit Brown is complete without visiting the biggest tomb there, as well as the famous coloured Sikh Guards …
And there are more, if you can keep up with us …
Don’t forget to bask in the peaceful surrounds, and also chat with your guides and make friends with other participants. We are amateurs and volunteers, but we are passionate and serious about what we do at Bukit Brown, and we encourage sharing of knowledge.
Here is a map of the grounds:
http://bukitbrown.com/
We will be covering several pioneers in groups 5, 6, 11 and 12.
==========================
Please take note:
1. We will be walking mainly on paved roads. But there are hill treks so dress appropriately, especially your footwear.
2. Wear light breathable clothing. Long pants and long sleeves if you are prone to insect bites or sunburn. Bring sunblock and natural insect repellent.
3. Wear comfortable non-slip shoes as safety is important. Walking sticks are recommended.
4. Do read up on Bukit Brown before going so you have a better understanding of the place (e.g. BukitBrown.com)
5. Do bring water, light snacks, poncho/umbrella, sunhat and waterproof your electronics.
6. Please go to the toilet before coming. There are NO facilities anywhere there or nearby.
==========================
How to get there by MRT / Bus:
Bus services available: 52, 74, 93, 157, 165, 852, 855.
From North: Go to Marymount MRT and walk to bus-stop #53019 along Upper Thomson Road. Take Buses 52, 74, 165, 852, 855
Alight 6 stops later at bus-stop, #41149, opposite Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), Adam Road. Walk towards Sime Road in the direction of Kheam Hock Road until you see Lorong Halwa.
From South: Go to Botanic Gardens MRT and walk to bus-stop #41121 at Adam Road, in front of Singapore Bible College. Take Buses 74, 93, 157, 165, 852, 855. Alight 2 stops later at bus-stop, #41141, just before Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), Adam Road. Cross the bridge, walk towards Sime Road, follow the road until you see Lorong Halwa.
By car:
Turn in from Lornie Road, to Sime Road. Then, turn left into Lorong Halwa.
Parking space available at the largish paved area near the cemetery gates.
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