In the diocese of St Albans.
Parish of Buntingford with Layston Church of Layston Churchyard.
The church is not listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. At a meeting of the Diocesan Advisory Committee held on 07/12/2023.
The following works or other proposals were considered: The works or proposals should be described in the petition for a faculty and in the public notice in the same way as they are described here.
Memorial to Thomas and Maureen Smith, featuring a sailing ship
The Committee DOES NOT OBJECT to the works or proposals being approved by the court, and the Committee's principal reasons for advising that it does not object are The DAC commented:
The DAC notes that a faculty has been sought for this non-standard memorial for which there is obviously strong support in the church community. The family has gone to considerable length to explain why both the ship image and the anchor are relevant in the family context and have reinforced this with the careful selection of words to make the association plain. It does tell something significant and potentially spiritual about the deceased couple. As illustrated, the roundel containing the image of the ship is probably somewhere between 200 and 250 mm in diameter, which is larger than the preferred image dimension that is likely to be recommended in more detailed guidance about motifs on headstones. The DAC would suggest that the roundel be no larger than 200mm in diameter and that the outline of the roundel be left plain rather than having the corded decoration as shown in the illustration provided.
This advice does not constitute authority for carrying out the works or proposals and a faculty is required.
In the opinion of the Committee the work or part of the work proposed is not likely to affect the character of the church as a building of special architectural or historic interest the archaeological importance of the building archaeological remains existing within the church or its curtilage
In the opinion of the Committee rule 9.9 of the Faculty Jurisdiction Rules (publication of notice on diocesan or other publicly accessible website) does not apply to the works or proposals This advice is valid for 24 months from the date given below Signed: Mrs Emma Critchley Date: 08/12/2023
Secretary to the Diocesan Advisory Committee