The graveyard extension is beyond the main church grounds, down the hill through church fields, on the right. The graves date back to the late 19th century through the 20th century.

Also the graveyard contains three war graves. Burials are no longer carried out here as the access path has become problematic for funeral directors to use.

After stepping through its double gates, it was clear that the graveyard had become overgrown by weeds, brambles and rogue trees – many graves and the boundary fence had fallen into disrepair.

It was in a very sorry state, which was highlighted to us by a person trying to find a particular grave as part of some ancestry research.

The PCC decided action was needed.

The plan was simple: to restore the graveyard to its former glory, making the graves accessible to visitors while being sympathetic to the resident wildlife, birds, insects and wild flowers.

In the short term, this will include cutting back the brambles and rogue trees, creating five short grass paths, completely weeding the graves and cutting the grass around them.

We plan to use the cuttings to create “living” compost heaps around the perimeter, and we will put up nesting boxes for birds.

The grass will be cut short on the east side of the graveyard, and all the other areas will be left to grow wild flowers to attract butterflies bees and other flying insects.

With this plan formed, before commencing any work, we contacted Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and Nottingham RSPB, who carried out surveys to determine whether we had any protected species or items of special interest.

It would have been nice to have found something, but we did not.

So, at least no special measures were required from a tidying perspective. Various birds have been identified along with wildlife activity and wild flowers. This will be monitored once a month until October 2024.

With volunteers from the church we have started on the plan. Our first work party was in April and have made significant progress.

The work days will continue on a monthly basis, until October.