We, the garden volunteers, look after this three-acre cemetery, on a sunny, south-facing slope, for the people buried here, their relatives and visitors.
Our aim is to maintain, enhance, and keep it a safe and tranquil place for everyone to enjoy.
The original cemetery planting and layout remains the same, as it was set out by the Victorians in the 1870’s, with many Irish Yews and Cupressus trees still growing. The site has been improved by clearing away unwanted self-sown tree seedlings, brambles and nettles and by keeping the most recently used section(J) mown, with some grave markers in situ. Flower beds have been developed around the Chapel and G Section, with benches where people can sit and look down on the grounds below. We have kept C Section as a little copse, giving shelter and shade in the Summer with naturalised wild flowers and a bug hotel constructed by a young volunteer. Where trees have been felled, their trunks and limbs have been weaved into log hedges as safe havens for wildlife. In the grassy areas we have Field Voles and everywhere Slow Worms hide under stones and rest in our compost heaps.
The Cemetery has wood sculptures carved from existing dead trees by local artist Peter Bolton which depict the ethos of the place perfectly. There are attractive dry-stone walls created by using stone from the Cemetery grounds and two native English hedges have been planted for the wildlife, one at the edge of the Copse and one round the beehives. And not only do we have honey bees but lots of different native bees along with an abundance of butterflies (Gate-keepers, Peacocks, Holly Blues, Red Admirals, Brimstones, Orange Tips and many others).
There is a pond which is home to a plethora of Smooth Newts, frogs, dragonflies and insects. The majority of the Grave Sections are left as wild meadow with a predominance of Rosebay Willow Herb interspersed with Meadow Cranesbill, Stitchwort, Ajuga, Field Poppies, Birds’-foot-trefoil, Early Purple Vetch, Meadow Buttercup, Red Campion and Lady’s Bedstraw to name a few. In the Spring the Primroses, Cowslip, Oxlip, Wild Garlic and Forget-me-nots vie with the Green Alkanet and other perennials for pride of place.
Paths are mowed between the burial sections and tracks for walking to our few stone memorials and other special areas of interest. There are trees full of blossom in the Spring, along with our native Blackthorn, there is an Amelanchier, Cherry and Wild Apple. Daffodil bulbs and Tulips have been planted and, in the Copse, we have an assortment of fungi: each year is different.
There is a lot for the Gardeners to do and we are always thinking of ways to increase the potential of the grounds but it does involve hard work and time. If you think you can help then come and see us and bring your ideas and energy.