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The Garden of Remembrance at St Mary’s

Since about 1960, Arthur Rudd has looked after the Garden of Remembrance at St Mary's.

The Garden was developed at that time as a place where cremated remains could be interred, and where people could spend time in peaceful thought and prayer, close to where their loved ones are buried.

Arthur has meticulously kept the records, so that we know where everyone is buried, and who they are; he has organised the stonemason to come and update the names on the plaque; he has prepared the ground for the burial, has attended most of the services of interment, and has looked after the Garden of Remembrance, so that is has always been a beautiful, restful and well-cared for place.

Now, after over 40 years, he has decided that the time has come for a well-earned retirement, and we are very grateful for all his care during this time.

Thank you, Arthur!

We are pleased that Peter Waters, one of the Churchwardens at St Mary's, has agreed to take on the task of looking after the records for the Garden of Remembrance, and the ‘knowledge’ is being passed on by Arthur to him.

Also, the hedge along the southern edge of the Garden of Remembrance has got a bit overgrown and leggy, so there is a plan to replace it with a new hedge, and a donation has already been offered towards this.

We shall be taking advice over the next couple of months, with a view to obtaining faculty permission to replace the hedge with a new one.

So, the Garden of Remembrance should be set up for many more years of peaceful and prayerful use.

Gary

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