WALBERTON ACTION GROUP

Walberton Churchyard Heritage Project Report 1

1. This project recognises how the village churchyard has been such an important feature of the community for so many years. While the surrounding countryside and the village itself have been subject to many changes, the church of St. Mary’s and the churchyard have changed little. The project seeks to restore some features that require attention and to increase awareness of the local community – in particular the children who attend Walberton and Binsted C.E. Primary School. 2. A recent survey, by Sussex Family History Group, of all the gravestones and memorials has provided a rich source of information about the village population over the last three centuries. The oldest gravestone is dated 1711 and there are many fine stones including one dated 1767, dedicated to Charles Cook, who died when a tree fell on him – the events are shown in the carvings at the head of the stone.
3. The Churchyard Heritage Project is being funded by the Local Heritage Initiative – a partnership between the Lottery Heritage Fund, the Countryside Agency and Nationwide Building Society. A total grant of £24,000 will help to achieve the following programme: 4. Walberton Action Group are surveying the flowering plants in the churchyard; from this information a management plan will be agreed with St. Mary’s PCC to ensure that the grass cutting and other management work will give a well cared for appearance and will also accommodate a wide variety of wildlife. Over a hundred species of flowering plants have been identified; there is a wide range of lichens growing on the gravestones; each summer there is a substantial breeding colony of bats that occupy the roof space above the chancel.
	5. St. Mary’s PCC are to publish a new Church Guide which will include a self guided trail around the churchyard, which is also of interest to visitors. 6. There are many beautiful trees in and around the churchyard: most of the larger ones were planted in the middle of the 19th century and several need heavy pruning if they are to be preserved for the future. The largest yew tree may be as many as 1100 years old, in which case it predates the church itself!
7. Sadly, during the Great Storm of 1987, when Walberton was at the centre of much destruction, falling limbs damaged many gravestones. The opportunity is being taken to put some of them into good repair. Others have become unstable over the years and they will be made safe.
8. The most notable grave is the massive family vault known in the village as the Prime Tomb. It was built by Richard Prime, who lived in Walberton Park, in 1825. The marble capping is to be restored and the railings and other metalwork will be repainted and so restore it its former glory. 9. There are already good links between the village school and St. Mary’s. A local consultant has been engaged to develop an education pack to promote the use of the churchyard for a wide range of cross curricular activities – local history, geography, conservation, creative writing, etc. The staff and children have already enjoyed finding how much the churchyard has to offer.
10. Finally, as a means of celebrating these diverse activities, which will involve many different groups in the village, a video film is being produced which will cover a year in the churchyard. In particular it will link the churchyard and memorials to families living in the village now and in t he past. Copies will be available at a very reasonable price at some time in 2004.

Welcome

Meetings

Conservation

Reports

News

Projects

Ford Ecotown

Comments and feedback to John Bushrodd
E_mail "jbushrod@aol.com"
phone:- 01243 551854 (+44 1243 551854)

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy
of the data the Walberton Action Group can take no responsibility for errors and omissions.

Produced for the Walberton Action Group using "Microsoft FrontPage" . . . .
last updated 28 November 2008
©2008 Walberton Action Group