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Our Beautiful Churchyard - posted 16 June 2011
Committee: Conrad Woolley Chairman
Judy Cairns Secretary
Sue Lidgley Convenor
Visitors often comment on how beautiful our churchyard is and I think we would all agree. In addition to those who tend their loved ones’ graves, there is a small group of volunteers who help to keep it tidy, cutting and strimming the grass and looking after the flower beds at the front of the church at a once a month group get-together on a Saturday morning. Ann Smith regularly mows the footpath and the lower part of the churchyard and the committee put in extra time. But it is Rex Jessett, who works there most days all through the year, who must take the greatest credit for keeping it all in order. During the winter and early spring he also rebuilt the long wall on the east side of the churchyard - a work of art.
The huge conifers against the west wall, between the churchyard and the old rectory, have had to be cut down as their roots were coming up in the old rectory’s tennis court. This has opened up the view and that area now feels much lighter.
We need to remind dog walkers to keep their pets on a lead and clean up after them. It is offensive to find dog mess amongst the graves.
Our thanks go to all those who help with the maintenance of the churchyard and if anyone new would like to join in they would be very welcome. There is no commitment to come every month - you come when you can. Please e-mail me or phone on 768913 if you are interested.
Judy Cairns
Report From Spring Talkabout 2010 - posted 29 April 2010
In spite of the cold winter, Rex Jessett has been working hard keeping the churchyard tidy and rebuilding the stone walls - a seemingly endless task as there are so many places where they have fallen down. The huge old pine tree had to be cut down as it was becoming dangerous, but in spite of a high wall of straw bales to cushion its fall, it still managed to bring down some of the wall, which Rex has mended. We would like to thank Andrew Pitt for his hard work last year, removing ivy from the walls, and also George Stubbs who went on mowing long after finishing his Duke of Edinburgh Award work. Ann Smith is greatly appreciated for regularly mowing the main path and lower part of the churchyard.
A new garden shed has been erected in one corner of the churchyard, leaving the original shed for church use, with more room for the bier, etc.
We hope the weather will improve soon and then we shall be glad to have the help of our band of volunteers who come and give a welcome hand with strimming, mowing and gardening, usually on the morning of the last Saturday of the spring, summer and autumn months. If any one new wishes to join us, please contact me.
Although the majority of dog walkers are conscientious, we are still having trouble with some people not picking up their dogs’ mess in the churchyard. A fine of £1,000 can be incurred for this. It really is unpleasant to find it when visiting a loved one’s grave or walking up to the church. Dogs should be kept on a lead at all times. We have a lovely churchyard; please show it the respect it deserves.
Judy Cairns
Secretary e-mail Tel: 01295 760537
Report March 2007 - 20 March 2010
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
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