The church could not have achieved this award without support from the community, those that give up time and energy to rake the churchyard after big cuts, those that offer special knowledge.and those that simply show an interest.

A year ago we were awarded the Bronze award and this year the Silver award for Churchyard conservation management along with a special comment from the judges on the quality of our display and presentation of records and information.  All of this is on permanent display inside the church where we also have leaflets about other aspects of the church itself.

Once we walked through the churchyard of nothing but mown grass but now  we can walk through the same place with clouds of butterflies in the summer and in the depths of winter see white, blue and blush white wild violas sheltering amongst the gravestones. But its not simply about plants but about the evidence we can see for those things we cannot see such as the small mallow flea normally found only in the Thames Estuary or the size of the ant hills of the tiny yellow meadow ants that in turn feed the Green Woodpecker.  However we do hope to see the return of grass snakes seen or rather heard some years ago as well as Slo worms that were seen in the village, but some 20 years ago. So it's not just grass anymore, but also this year, swathes of Ladies Bedstraw as well as carpets of Speedwell in the spring.  Even though the churchyard suffered through the drought last year, followed by freezing winds and cold spells, the uncut areas have protected wild Creeping Jenny.

Hopefully we are now contributing with others on this scheme some aspect of Gods creation all around us - it can be truly wonderful.