The churchyard is governed by rules designed to ensure that it remains a place of peace, order, and beauty, and can be easily maintained by this and future generations. These rules are listed here.
There has been a church building and churchyard on this site for approximately 800 years. The churchyard has developed over this period of time, with additions of land in during the 20th century, and now encompasses approx.2.8 acres. The most recent additions were consecrated as graveyards ca.1999 and are now being filled.
A few of the graves in the graveyard are known to be of people who played significant parts in local civic life. Here, as elsewhere, the change from a small agricultural and quarrying village (population 700 in 1918) to a large suburb (of 10000, and still growing) is evident. There are five war graves in the churchyard, recognised by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Boundaries are mainly stone walls; there are no gates. There are two public footpaths through the church grounds. Surrounding buildings, including the church hall adjacent to the churchyard, known as ‘The Barn’, comprise a few older buildings of agricultural origin, and more modern housing.
The churchyard contains many mature deciduous trees which are subject to preservation orders. There no known archeological remains on the site.
The Barn adjacent to the Churchyard, was built by the Rev. John Foster in the first half of the nineteenth century as a Tithe Barn. It is now used extensively by Church and Community Groups.
The Queens’ Green Canopy
The footpath through the churchyard is lined with four chinese variegated privet trees, Ligustrum Superbum. These were planted as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, which is also commemorated in a plaque on the adjacent wall.
Use of the Churchyard
How can I help to keep the Churchyard in a fitting condition?
First by caring for your own Family Grave.
You may like to consider an annual gift to the Churchyard Account. You can be sure such gifts will be used only for the care of the churchyard.
It is a help if you could ensure that your grave area is accessible to mowers.
What happens if I can’t find a Family Grave?
The Rector will be happy to find a family grave with you using the Churchyard Grave Registers.