Our churchyard could be one of the most ancient enclosed pieces of land in Wadhurst. The

grassland has been relatively undisturbed, re-seeding naturally for hundreds if not thousands of years. It will also have been both mown for hay and grazed by animals during its time as a burial ground.

A benefit of this continuity of management over a very long time is a rich diversity of grasses, flowers and animals.

This old unimproved grassland was once widespread in the UK but is now rare. Since the 1940s over 97% has vanished.

Most burial grounds pre-date the 1940s so are now some of the few places it remains – because they have not been artificially fertilised, treated with herbicides or ploughed.

As a church, and with the help of volunteers, we are now actively managing the site, grass cuttings are raked up and removed regularly.