Policy on the maintenance of St Bartholomew's Churchyard

Somebody who had lived in Leigh in the past came to visit her father's family grave in St Bartholomew's churchyard, and was upset to find the grave overgrown. She asked what the policy was over the upkeep of the churchyard.  The Church Warden was asked what the policy for the churchyard is.


"It has been reported that some years ago the Church of England suggested that churches, if possible, should leave an area of the churchyard to natural habitat where wild grasses and flowers could flourish, seed and proliferate, and where butterflies and various insects, together with small mammals could also survive.

Many churches adopted this greener image not only saving money, but also saving on carbon emissions. Betchworth, for example, has a large area to the rear of the church which is cut once a year after plants have seeded. There are no cut pathways and no cleared graves in that area.

St Bartholomew's has followed this policy regularly cutting the churchyard to the west, north and east, but, apart from pathways, leaving much of the area to the south to nature. Clearing the brambles and other intrusive plants is of great value to any conversation area as these stifle wild flowers."

Policy for St Bartholomew's Churchyard is to continue to mow those areas regularly mown, to clear some paths to areas of graves, to clear brambles from around the side where they seem to multiply (done by volunteers), and to manage the important conservation area by cutting once after seeding.

Six flower beds have been allotted to volunteers to be maintained.

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