Shropshire Star

Moving graves will bring benefit to all, says Telford church

Moving graves at a telford church is a necessary step to improve a churchyard for the benefit of the community, it has been claimed.

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Leaders at St George's Parish Church in Telford want to create a village green in the grounds to host community events as part of a project that will also see the venue's clock restored and a toilet installed.

The church, which was built in 1865, has secured a Pride in Your High Street Fund grant from Telford & Wrekin Council to pay for the work.

But the move has sparked outcry among parishioners after it emerged that seven gravestones would have to be moved – including one belonging to Crimean war veteran James Cope, who was nursed by Florence Nightingale.

Notices have been tied to older gravestones saying they are set to be moved as part of plans to improve a section of the churchyard.

Church leaders today said no decisions have been made on the plans and that they would listen to the public's views on the project.

The proposals have been sent to the Diocese of Lichfield for approval, but officials said no decision would be made until public consultation was complete.

The diocese said it was not unusual for gravestones in closed churchyards, that are full and not to be reused, to be moved under strict rules to create community space and improve access.

When families are no longer able to tend graves in older parts of graveyards, the burden rests on the parochial church council, all volunteers, to maintain or fund maintenance the graves.

Churchwarden Alan Talbot said: "We're delighted that with the Pride in Your High Street grant, we will have the opportunity to make our church a more welcoming building for users. But for that to happen, we will have to make some changes in the graveyard. The notices have been put out as part of the public consultation as we have made a formal application to the church authorities."

The Ven Paul Thomas, Archdeacon of Salop for the Diocese of Lichfield, said: "No works of this type can be carried out in a Church of England graveyard without a faculty from the Diocesan Chancellor.

"We have received an application from the PCC of St Georges.

"No decision has been made as public consultation is underway as part of the process.

"Provision of basic facilities including safe, disabled-friendly access and having a toilet available during events in the building is an important part of making our churches welcoming places for communities in modern times."

Council spokesman Russell Griffin said: "St Georges was awarded Pride funding to restore the church clock to full running order and create a village green for community events, which is something that many closed churchyards have done. "We understand that in order to create the community space here, St Georges Parochial Church Council would have to relocate four to six headstones.

"These notices have been posted to let people know so that they can make their representations known to the church."

Anyone can comment, in writing to the Chancellor of the Diocese.

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