The Graffoe Parochial Church Council (PCC) wishes to inform all those whose loved ones are resting in the following: Graffoe Parish churches: (St Andrew’s Boothby Graffoe, All Saints’ Coleby, All Saints’ Harmston, St Peter’s Navenby, St John the Baptist Temple Bruer and All Saints Wellingore, that routine topple testing of all headstones is to be undertaken during the month of March 2026 by each Village Church Committee (VCC).

An initial visual inspection will comprise:

• Damaged or eroding bonding
• Movement of parts of a memorial from its original position
• Kerb stones breaking apart
  
• Undermined or unstable foundations
• Leaning memorials – particularly if there is evidence of recent movement
• Evidence of structural damage or disturbance (e.g. cracks
• The presence of vegetation, which may cause cracks etc to widen.
  
  

Before this takes place, we would request that families kindly check their loved one’s headstone for any signs of movement or potential hazard to other users of the churchyard.

You will appreciate that it is families’ responsibility to maintain their loved one/s gravestones and rectify any  problemassociated with it. If this work could be undertaken prior to 1 March 2026, when the topple testing will commence, this would be appreciated. During the topple testing, in the event of an unsafe headstone being identified, a notice will be placed on the headstone itself and attempts made, where possible, to contact relatives.

Where we have been unsuccessful in contacting relatives and the headstone in question remains unsafe, further guidance will be sought by the PCC from the Lincoln Diocese’ Advisory Committee as to the next course of action that is needed to be undertaken.

From Graffoe Parochial Church Council

5 November 2025

Email: [email protected]