St Philips inherited a hay meadow when the Trower sisters living next door generously donated land from their farm to build a church, which opened in 1867. The church still retains the flora of a traditionally managed hay meadow. It is on unimproved grassland that has never been chemically fertilised, ploughed or drained and it enabling a wealth of flora to flourish. 130 species of wild flower were recorded by two members of the Sussex Botanical Recording Society, one of which was Helen, in 2017. Of the 400 Sussex churchyards that were recorded at that time, St. Philip’s churchyard proved to be one of the best for species-richness and diversity including two native orchid species. Unfortunately, 97% of our meadows have been lost due to agricultural intensification and building developments. It is especially important that we maintain the remaining meadows with care, not least as our native wild flowers are important for pollinating insects to thrive, so a churchyard plan has been developed which includes removing grass cutting so the soil remains unimproved, as well as waiting until seed is set before cutting. Invasive species may need cutting back and access to visited graves needs to be maintained.

We are able to maintain this Churchyard thanks to grants Burwash Parish Council and Heathfield Parish Council . This churchyard serves Parishioners from Rother and Wealden.