The Churchyard is a much frequented and cherished place whether for families remembering their departed loved ones, walkers resting awhile on its benches, genealogists researching their their family history or those seeking contemplation and quietude within its spaces.  The PCC welcomes everyone to this special and ancient site in Sudbourne.  

The environmental plan for the Churchyard is to improve its biodiversity by leaving the currently less populated areas of the Churchyard as wildflower and pollinator rich patches.  This means that the small team of volunteers, as advised by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust and agreed by the PCC, mow these areas twice a year: once in the autumn and once in early spring.  In between times, they strim around the walls and mow paths for access through the long grass.  The volunteers give freely of their time and care, and individual families tend the graves of their loved ones.  The PCC recognises, values and respects the work of everyone in making the Churchyard a beautiful place of tranquillity, reflection and remembrance, as well as encouraging the best possible bio diversity.

In early spring, the Churchyard is full of cowslips.  Late in the sum, amongst other species of plants, purple knapweed, blue field scabious, white wild carrot and pyramid orchids are to be found.  There are several species of flowering grass.  These patches of grass and wild flowers provide shelter and food for a range of butterflies, dragonflies, grasshoppers, and less obvious insects, all of which do such good work for the soil, pollination and predation.  Mowing these areas in the early autumn ensures that the seeds of the flowering plants can set and then fall to the ground, providing growth for the following year.  

Sudbourne Church participates in the Church of England's Eco Church scheme which aims to make churches and churchyards environmentally responsible and to encourage the understanding and support of parishioners.  In June 2023, parishioners took part in a wildlife count in All Saints Churchyard and in 2022, rare Wall butterflies were spotted in the Churchyard.  

The PCC understands that not everyone will see the beauty and diversity in these wilder areas of the Churchyard.  One person's eco patch is another's mess!  However, in defence of these eco patches, we need to help our insects, our soil and our environment as much as possible and we hope that everyone will support our aim to make the Churchyard a richly diverse environment.