St Mary's Churchyard
The churchyard of St. Mary’s is an ancient burial ground of some two and three quarters of an acre in extent. Being a church property, responsibility for management lies with the Parochial Church Council. It remains in use as the parish burial ground and any resident of the parish regardless of faith is entitled to burial there, as is anyone else who dies within the parish. Others may be permitted burial at the discretion of the incumbent. As a rule, this is permitted to those who have had strong links with the parish. Burial fees (without a church service) are currently £230.
The churchyard, together with the church, has been in existence for centuries. The oldest existing identifiable memorial appears to be an obelisk dedicated to the memory of John Paltock who died in 1739. Notable memorials include the ‘listed’ copper-roofed cross to the Wren family and various obelisks, columns and stones to the families of John Paltock, Lt. Col. Harvey Tower, and the Rev. F H S Say. Other less imposing headstones have interesting stories to tell, such as that of Charles Day the platelayer killed on the Buntingford railway line whilst collecting fog detonators.
A recently erected headstone commemorates Braughing’s most well-known burial, that of Matthew Wall, who in 1595 was recovered alive when his coffin was dropped by the coffin-bearers in Fleece Lane. Matthew went on to marry and to live for many more years. When he finally died he left provisions in his Will for Fleece Lane to be swept, the funeral bell to be tolled and a wedding peal to be rung every year on October 2nd. This ceremony is still carried out annually.
Funding from investments, burial fees and legacies provides for maintenance of the churchyard. Additionally, the Parish Council, although having no legal obligation , customarily makes an annual grant towards upkeep, in recognition of the amenity value of the churchyard for the whole parish.
For many years Tony Cook, a local contractor, has mown the main areas, whilst a team of volunteers mow areas at the front of the church and do other jobs such as pruning and strimming, saving appreciably on maintenance costs.
The churchyard of St. Mary’s is an ancient burial ground of some two and three quarters of an acre in extent. Being a church property, responsibility for management lies with the Parochial Church Council. It remains in use as the parish burial ground and any resident of the parish regardless of faith is entitled to burial there, as is anyone else who dies within the parish. Others may be permitted burial at the discretion of the incumbent. As a rule, this is permitted to those who have had strong links with the parish. Burial fees (without a church service) are currently £230.
The churchyard, together with the church, has been in existence for centuries. The oldest existing identifiable memorial appears to be an obelisk dedicated to the memory of John Paltock who died in 1739. Notable memorials include the ‘listed’ copper-roofed cross to the Wren family and various obelisks, columns and stones to the families of John Paltock, Lt. Col. Harvey Tower, and the Rev. F H S Say. Other less imposing headstones have interesting stories to tell, such as that of Charles Day the platelayer killed on the Buntingford railway line whilst collecting fog detonators.
A recently erected headstone commemorates Braughing’s most well-known burial, that of Matthew Wall, who in 1595 was recovered alive when his coffin was dropped by the coffin-bearers in Fleece Lane. Matthew went on to marry and to live for many more years. When he finally died he left provisions in his Will for Fleece Lane to be swept, the funeral bell to be tolled and a wedding peal to be rung every year on October 2nd. This ceremony is still carried out annually.
Funding from investments, burial fees and legacies provides for maintenance of the churchyard. Additionally, the Parish Council, although having no legal obligation , customarily makes an annual grant towards upkeep, in recognition of the amenity value of the churchyard for the whole parish.
For many years Tony Cook, a local contractor, has mown the main areas, whilst a team of volunteers mow areas at the front of the church and do other jobs such as pruning and strimming, saving appreciably on maintenance costs.
© 2010 Braughing Parish Council and Braughing Parochial Church Council
Managers are appointed by the Parochial Church Council to organise this work. Recent Managers have been Irene Heraud and Rita Glazebrook.
Currently they are Mike and Marion Saunders together with Mark and Sue Landon.
The churchyard representative on the Parochial Church Council is John Graham-Campbell. Any of the above would be glad to hear from anyone able and willing to help in the churchyard in any way.
Currently they are Mike and Marion Saunders together with Mark and Sue Landon.
The churchyard representative on the Parochial Church Council is John Graham-Campbell. Any of the above would be glad to hear from anyone able and willing to help in the churchyard in any way.