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The Churchyard Welcome to St. Mary's Churchyard The Churchyard is part of the national "Living Churchyard and Cemetery Project for Wildlife Conservation" coordinated by the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT). As a result of conservation policies already introduced, the extensive wildlife records that are being kept, and the planned projects outlined for the next year, the Church was awarded a certificate by the project in June 2003. At various times of the year different areas of grass are left uncut. This is deliberate, to encourage a number of wild flowers to grow, and to allow them time to set seeds. Since different plants flower at different times of the year, the mowing regime will vary accordingly. The grass around trees and along boundary hedges is also left uncut, in order to provide cover and habitat for various wildlife. We maintain an overall policy of environmentally friendly management of the Churchyard. A membrane, covered with bark chippings has been laid under the yew hedge in the churchyard extension to prevent excessive weed growth. It is hoped that, during the course of the next few years, a log of all the gravestones including inscriptions, will be completed, building on the work already done by the Local History Group. This will assist visitors who may be seeking to find information about relatives buried here. The southern boundary has been planted up with native species of young hedging plants. The hedge will be maintained annually, and once it is mature enough it will be professionally "layed". This laying process has already been completed on a section of hedge in the northwest corner of the churchyard. We are very grateful to the Chalgrove Parish Council for their support in maintaining this churchyard for the community. When you visit us, please take some time to walk around the Churchyard. A leaflet is available in the Church which will help you identify the features in it, with commentaries included for areas of particular interest. You may also download this leaflet here (.pdf format). The Labyrinth In order to allow the necessary space in the new churchyard at St Mary's, we marked the closure of the labyrinth with two evening events, on Friday May 16th and Sunday 18th. From 8pm to 9.30pm people walked the labyrinth which was ringed with candlelight in the dusk. photo copyright Dave Richards Following this there was a short service of worship at the labyrinth to mark the occasion. And as we close this labyrinth, and allow the grass to grow, we will be holding in mind the idea of a new design in a new location. We hope you enjoy your visit to the churchyard. If you have any comments or suggestions, please click here to contact us.

  

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