Cattistock’s churchyard shed

Cattistock’s churchyard shed

Churchyard Update

Why does a churchyard need a shed?

If you look around churchyards you may have noticed that most now have sheds (indeed, Leigh has 3 of them).  They have proved invaluable in helping increase the level of ownership of the churchyard by interested villagers.   Tools and equipment are kept there, allowing individuals to help maintain the churchyard in their own time, and not have to drag their own tools down.

However, much as we wanted a shed, the PCC could not prioritise the expenditure in light of urgent needs within the building itself, so it remained a wish.  Then our wonderful shop volunteers offered to use the money that Andy donates to the village (as thanks for their labour) to donate one for the churchyard.  Their generosity allowed us to purchase a really strong and vandal proof metal shed that we have sited in the corner of the new churchyard. Some tools have already been donated, as was some paving to reduce impact of increased traffic outside the front.

A small group Simon, Howard, Colin, Sean and Fiona set to one cold spring day and cleared the site.  They then created a base for it with stones funded by Friends of Cattistock Church;  and erected it in one afternoon!

So next to identify volunteers who wish to spare some time to maintain the churchyard, and they will be given access to the shed key.  There is a Churchyard Plan that sets out the parameters of any works undertaken – but more ideas very welcomed!

So, our churchyard is already a beautiful, restful environment; but we’d like to create an even more wonderful, meditative place; and honour those interred there as well as  supporting and build wildlife populations. 

Any comments are very welcome

Cathy Evans