Churchyard Newsletter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Churchyard has been peaceful under its unaccustomed blanket of snow and frost, ever since the Churchyard Team cleared the final leaves and took the ivy off the impressive gravestones on the northern side. The blackberry patches at the far end of the meadow were also cleared in the Autumn with the hope that the rabbits hiding under them would go elsewhere. Things are now just beginning to move and the birds to sing so one’s thoughts turn to the jobs to do and the coming season.

 

Last year we had a good team of people who spent a couple of hours on Thursday mornings to do all the necessary work and I think they found it rewarding and good to meet and work together. So in the coming season it would be great if anyone else who felt like joining in would volunteer  - there is varied work to suit all interests and inclinations, from light weeding to mowing and grass raking and carrying. Sometimes we have bonfires too, which all seem to enjoy.

 

As people will already be aware, the Churchyard is managed under the Diocesan “Living Churchyards” scheme, on a conservation basis and in association with Yorkshire Wildlife. This year there is a national “Cherishing Your Churchyards” week in June, see: www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk and we hope to take part in this in some way – watch this space.

 

In the coming year there will also hopefully be some renovation of fallen and broken grave stones and also a study day of Lichens being organised by the Boston Spa Archaeology and Heritage Group.

 

So enjoy your churchyard and come and work in it too!

 

 

Terry Gaussen.