Burial grounds committee

The burial grounds committee's annual report (subject to confirmation):

The Burial Grounds committee, at the conclusion of the four-year Parish Council can report that major developments have been achieved and the cemetery significantly enhanced. Over this period a new road has been built into the extension and the memorial garden attractively redesigned.

Developments this year include the landscaping of the extension, preparing it for interments. The memorial garden has been in bloom and the memorial garden oak arch has received its first commemoration plates. Interest in this facility is growing.

The committee, on behalf of the Parish Council, has worked with the Parochial Church Council (PCC) on the church paths. A grant of £5,000 has been made available towards resurfacing the north west (vehicular access) path. The Parish Council has been involved in a number of minor maintenance tasks in the churchyard in addition to regular grass cutting. In consequence it has drawn up a memo of understanding with the PCC defining responsibility for these tasks.

The most frustrating area of work has been the war memorial where the names have faded despite being twice relettered. A temporary solution is being implemented and proposals for refacing the memorial being investigated. An alternative facing, we believe, would make the lettering more durable.

The chair of the committee Laurence Pollock wishes to thank his vice chair Peter Meadows for his input and his predecessor Mrs Delise Ball for her continuing interest in this area of the council’s work and her expertise.