Canon Patrick writes…
There is always steady background work going on to keep the local churchyards tidy, each in its own characteristic way. All three PCCs pay to have contractors do the mowing, but a lot of other work is needed and I am very thankful to the many different volunteers who contribute to this in different ways.
At St Michael’s, Baddesley Clinton, I’m grateful to the churchwardens and Colin Sewell who give time and energy to keep the churchyard tidy.
At St Mary’s, Lapworth, the duties of the verger include tidying the churchyard, but since the sad death of Michele Twelftree in January we have had no verger in post. We will appoint another verger, but there is a process to go through before that can happen. In the meantime, I’m very grateful to Mike Parkes and many other volunteers and their supporters who have done work in the churchyard, not least at the Churchyard Working Party on 7th March. At St Giles, Packwood a team of National Trust volunteers had a very productive day in the churchyard last October. A Churchyard Tidy Morning is coming up on 13th June.
Many families come to tend particular graves in the churchyard, and this also contributes to keeping the churchyards tidy. We have to be mindful of the diocesan Churchyard Regulations, which limit what can be placed on or around graves. Fresh cut flowers are encouraged, but artificial flowers are not allowed. Neither are “sentimental items” such as human or animal figurines, toys or pictures. Lanterns, candles and solar powered lights are not allowed either. As incumbent I am meant to remove all items like these. I usually place such items in the corner of the churchyard, near where the excess soil is heaped, so families can retrieve them.
We all want the churchyards to look tidy and well kept, so they form a dignified place for our dead to rest in peace. Lots of different people have interests in the churchyards so there is a need to cooperate. The Churchyard Regulations give a helpful framework for that which I am keen to support. Increasingly the role of churchyards as wildlife habitats is being emphasised, which often means that a wilder look is allowed in certain parts of the churchyards.