Caring for God's acre

People have gathered for over six hundred years in St Mark's churchyard. It is a hallowed place in which to pray, to remember loved ones and to enjoy the natural world. It is a beautiful setting for  Christenings, weddings and funerals and also a home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, much in decline over recent years. 

How is the churchyard looked after?

Tombs are being cleared of ivy and brambles by volunteers and ground ivy removed to increase the range of nectar rich plants

The churchyard is maintained without the use of chemicals and to Eco church standards.

We are delighted when relatives tend graves but we would request that you do not remove plants around the grave. What may be a weed to you may be a valuable food source for a bee or a lovely wild flower to someone else. Please do not use any slug pellets or other chemicals.

Please take all plastic waste home to place in your black bin. Dead plants may be placed in the green bins by the Church Walk gate.

Be aware that paths can be slippy and there are many uneven surfaces and trip hazards especially in the grassy areas.

PLEASE KEEP DOGS ON LEADS AND TAKE DOG POO HOME.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP LOOK AFTER THE CHURCHYARD JOIN US ON A SATURDAY MORNING BETWEEN 10 AND 12 OR CONTACT SANDRA BEVAN VIA THE PARISH OFFICE.

Formal Garden and War Memorial

The formal garden and war memorial area is regularly mown and maintained by volunteers. Note the many lovely trees including Scots Pine and Cedars. In Spring 2022 dead and sick roses are being removed and plots sown with grass.

er plants in the beds. Please contact Sandra Bevan via the Parish Office if you have any queries or concerns.

Garden of Remembrance

The Garden of Remembrance is a space designed in the 1970's to remember loved ones and is maintained by volunteers and a contractor.

Lenten roses donated by Pam and planted Autumn 2021 near the Garden of Remembrance

Wild Areas

Patches of bramble and scrub, nettles and dead hedges provide essential habitat for small mammals, birds and amphibians. The hay and leaf mould heaps are home to bacteria and worms and the compost from them is used on flower beds

Spring Flowering Meadow (North)

The Spring flowering meadow to the left (north) of the church building is left uncut until the end of May to allow the hundreds of snowdrops and primrose seeds to ripen and disperse to increase their numbers. The long grass provides food and shelter for birds and insects. It is mown each month from June until the Autumn.

Click here to see more photos of the Spring Flowering Meadow

Summer Meadow (East)

The Summer flowering meadow beyond (east of) the church building is left uncut in the summer to encourage a variety of grasses and wild flowers to thrive and provide food and shelter for insects, birds and other wildlife. It is mown each month from the end of August.

Tombs in the Eastern Meadow before working on them and the same area after clearing.