The Churchyard

A peaceful , beautiful area with fine views to the Cotswold Hills in the east, across the Severn Vale, northwards to the Malverns, south to May Hill, and west to Marcle Hill. In the Spring the wild daffodils here are a delight growing extensively in Redmarley Churchyard. A tranquil place where villagers come to lovingly tend the graves and reminisce. 

The churchyard is accessed from the main village road. There are two footpaths running either side of the church, leading to the burial area and open fields beyond. These footpaths are used on a regular basis by local ramblers and dog walkers.

Within the curtilage of the church yard is a listed monument. Stephens monument GV II (Listing NGR: SO7522731314) being described as a pedestal tomb with the inscription to Elizabeth Stephens who died 1820. The Stone monument has a circular base for an urn, 2 square steps, a moulded edge to the lid, fluted frieze with centre and corner paterae; east and west sides show a raised circle with corner paterae, north and south sides moulded as a raised diamond on fluted background. It has a moulded base. There are indented corners to the whole, except to the steps above lid.

A number of trees grow throughout the church yard including yew, conifers, larch and holly. There is a magnificent Cedar of Lebanon not far from the main entrance. These all help to enhance the setting, creating an ecosystem, and providing habitat and food for birds and other small animals. 

The church yard is bounded on three sides by stone walls and to the east end there are railings in which are a pair of original gates. This would possibly have been the quickest way to the original rectory, on horseback, across open fields.

   The PCC  are responsible for the safety of the tombstones and the overall maintenance of the churchyard.  It is therefore recommended that all gravestones and tombs are inspected for safety annually. Each stone must be physically handled to check for loose mounting, disintegrating mortar or undue spalling caused by age or frost, making the stonework unsafe.   We usually carry out this inspection in the early summer and notices are posted. Any interested party is welcome to join us. 

'Gravestones must be sufficiently secure so that they would not topple over if someone held on to them to help themselves up, or if they had knelt down to read the inscription, but every stone need not be perfectly upright.'