July 2020 online Lamberhurst magazine - Flipbook - Page 1
in order to conserve the wide variety of
wild and special flowers) and regular
clearing and tidying-up is carried out by
volunteers. Some more demanding
hedging or tree work, and some strimming
in difficult to access areas, is handed over
to contractors.
Financing the upkeep of these wonderful
areas falls to the regular giving of
parishioners and the congregation. No
money is received from the wider church
or local councils. However, the rules and
regulations which govern churchyards are
laid down by the Diocese and these have
to be adhered to by the Vicar,
Churchwardens and Church Councils. The
regulations cover what type of stone can
be used for headstones and the nature of
inscriptions, what memorials can be
placed on the graves, what artefacts or
floral tributes can be used. They are
neither arbitrary nor meant to be overly
officious; these guidelines ensure that the
churchyards remain places which retain
their empathetic and harmonious
character to the benefit of all those who
visit them.
At St. Mary’s we have a very special
display of snowdrops in February which
fascinate local parishioners, walkers and
visitors alike. Extra care is taken each year
in the mowing and clearing of the
snowdrop areas in order to ensure that
they have the chance to multiply year on
year and provide us all with a white carpet
of such magnificence. Our Snowdrop
Service, held on a Sunday afternoon in
February, is particularly important as it
brings together family and friends of
those who have lost loved ones and
reminds us all of the power of God’s
renewal and support during times of
bereavement.
Throughout the year I continue to be
amazed by the variety of our wildflowers.
Just recently we received advice as to how
we can further the conservation of our
native plants and in April a survey of all
the types of plants was carried out by a
visiting team of specialists, they also
provided a survey of the lichen. Incredibly
they named 86 different lichen some of
which are nationally scarce, and 63
species of plants.
As one of St. Mary’s churchwardens I
recognise how important the churchyard
is; I know that sometimes those that visit
the churchyard and have loved ones
buried there would like us to do things
differently or mow more frequently, or
not adhere to the rules and regulations
governing headstones or what is placed
on the graves; what the Vicar, the
Churchwardens and Church Council
endeavour to achieve is a balance to
ensure that the churchyard remains a
sacred and special place for everyone.
This is not always easy. I also appreciate,
as I have loved ones buried in the
churchyard, how vital it is to be able to go
and grieve quietly and in peace and stand
and breathe in the calm of the flowers,
the trees, the hedgerows. I think of the
history of everyone I have known buried
there and pray for all those I have not
known and for all those remembered over
the centuries maybe just by the names
and dates on headstones.
Caring for God’s Acre is not simple, but we
hope we do so thoughtfully and
prayerfully and in so doing provide for
everyone a unique place of tranquillity.
Julia Cruse
Churchwarden
If anyone would like further information
about St. Mary’s Churchyard or would like
to offer help towards its maintenance,
please contact the Parish Office.
