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The
churchyard at St David's is a very special place. It is
roughly circular in shape, with the church at the centre, and this
together
with its position in a valley with a stream passing through suggests
that there
was a place of worship here in Saxon times. So it has probably been a
holy
place for at least a thousand years. Find out more about its
history and some of the interesting graves and memorials.
The churchyard is also an
important refuge for
plants and animals: birds, small
mammals and bats, slow-worms
and grass snakes, butterflies,
bees and all kinds of
minibeasts, find a home here. Lichens flourish on the old
grave stones. The results of a lichen survey carried out in 2006 can be seen here.
The flowers and grasses of the churchyard were surveyed in 2004 and the trees in 2006. See the results Plants and Trees.
There is a management plan in place which ensures that the churchyard is cared for in such a way
that it provides a place of peace for quiet reflection, and a haven for
wildlife where people can appreciate the beauty and diversity of nature.
Churchyard Medieval Preaching Cross:
English Heritage are running a project to renovate 10 of the most at risk medieval Preaching Crosses in Herefordshire, and St David's cross is one of those. So far we have had an archaeological survey to assess the state of the stones below ground level, and an English Heritage engineer has been to determine the best approach for renovation. We hope to have a specification shortly for the renovation work.
Churchyard Workparties 2011:
Friday 18th November 9:30am to 12:30pm - various early winter maintenance tasks.
Thanks to all those who have helped this year. Additional help was received this year from those attending the Scything Course on 9th July. While the 10 participants practised their new skills, they cut a good section of the churchyard.
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The base of a 14th century preaching cross stands
on the south side of the church, probably moved here from somewhere
outside the churchyard in the 15th or 16th centuries.
Rebuilding the churchyard wall. |
