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Helmdon Parish Church and Churchyard
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The Friends of Helmdon Churchyard is an agency of the P.C.C with
its own chairman, secretary and convener. Anyone who has an interest
in the care of the burial ground is a member but we should like
to know who you are! Please get in touch with Conrad Woolley (760267)
or Judy Cairns (760537) if you can support us, even if it is only
from your armchair. We need you
..really! We hope that those
of you who do wander into its peacefulness will appreciate the gradual
improvements being made to show that we care.
Report March 2007
Rex Jessett (following in the footsteps of the Branson brothers
and Reg Batchelor who have in the past given considerable time
and attention to work in the churchyard) has been busy all winter,
tidying up, and repairing walls. With the aid of some willing
helpers he has removed the ivy which was destroying a section
of the wall by the road. The ivy trunks were as big as trees and
it was a huge effort to get them out and move them to a place
where they could be sawn up. During his clearing and cutting back
of overgrown bushes he has revealed graves in the old part of
the churchyard which have been hidden for years. We cannot say
too often how grateful we are to Rex for his help. A big thank
you, too, to Andy Pitts who cleared the ivy from all along the
front wall from the horse chestnut tree to the gate.
We are grateful to our other volunteer helpers and look forward
to commencing our monthly clean up sessions in the spring.
This report is going to be largely made up of expressions of gratitude
as we would like to also say a very big thank you to the HYHOs
who have given us the money to buy a badly needed new heavy duty
strimmer. In the past we have only had second-hand ones which
were always breaking down, so we really appreciate the generosity
of the HYHOs, who contribute so much to village projects.
The millennium yew, provided by the Diocese and planted in the
new area, is growing well, but will take hundreds of years to
rival in size the ancient yew near the church. We would like to
point out that trees and shrubs must not be planted in the churchyard
without permission being obtained from the Archdeacon of the Diocese.
The layout of the graveyard and also the design of gravestones
is strictly regulated.
We look forward to the spring and summer when the churchyard really
looks at its best and its beauty and serenity can be really appreciated
not only by those visiting their love ones' graves, but also by
those who walk through.
Judy Cairns
Secretary
(01295) 760537
Conrad Woolley, Church Warden in 2003,
wrote.....
Peace and tranquillity. That's what some visitors say about the
Churchyard. Come on, Helmdonites, have you wandered up there recently?
You can follow the narrow, mown path between the Church and road
double bend and you will come to the Garden of Rest where ashes
are interred. You will find a seat where you can rest a moment,
with the Church, Saturday House and the ancient Great Yew tree
ahead of you.
Walk on down past the newest graves and look over the valley,
beyond the sheep and horses, towards Astwell and further, if the
weather allows.
By now you are appreciating the wonder of all this creation -
the span of age from the smallest insect to the largest yew. Where
do you fit in?
Leave this computer and take a walk up there in the air. |