Living churchyards project Managing god’s acre By David Curry Exeter Diocese Environmental Officer

A churchyard is many things to many people. A pleasant, reflective place for the congregation and visitors An environment in keeping with the function of burial and the scattering of cremated remains A fit setting for church or chapel A respected and cared for part of our environment A sanctuary for wildlife

Churchyards are found mainly in Church of England churches Churchyards are found mainly in Church of England churches. We estimate that 10,000 of our 16,000 CofE churches in the UK have churchyards. That’s the area of a small national park.

In Devon we have over 500 churchyards – many in ancient churches

It is thought that churchyards have been used for burial since the mid 900s when one acre (God’s Acre) was set aside for burial. There were no boundary walls etc.

Most churchyards in Devon are about an acre in size although I have visited a churchyard which is 12 acres in size!!

These are historic sites for wildlife, Unspoilt by agriculture, development and pesticides.

It’s a precious resource which can make a huge difference to the biodiversity of our county.

The UK’s churchyards have the greatest number of veteran and ancient trees in Europe. In particular Yew trees.

Churchyards are of supreme importance to for lichen conservation due to the variety of rocks in the memorial stones. Of the 2,000 UK lichen species over 700 have been found in churchyards. I’ve known churchyards with well over 100 species of lichen.

The community of grasses and flowers may have been there for centuries, relatively undisturbed. If only they would stop cutting the grass to within an inch of its life!!

A CHURCHYARD IS TRULY SPECIAL. THE MOSAIC OF MATURE TREES, SHRUBS, FLOWERS, GRASSLAND, WALLS AND MONUMENTS ALL COMBINE TO MAKE CHURCHYARDS UNIQUE.

MY MAIN MESSAGE IS “KEEP DEVON BUZZING AND LOOK AFTER GOD’S ACRE!!”