The Vicar and Churchwardens will shortly be seeking authorisation for a programme of landscaping and other improvement works to the Churchyard at St Mary’s Church in South Ealing. The aim of the works will be to create an open space that is an asset to the community, a fitting memorial to those whose bodies have been buried there in the past, a haven for wildlife, and an appropriate setting for the Church building itself.

The intention is to remove those memorials that are dangerous, or in poor condition, or illegible; to retain and restore the best of the remaining ones in their existing location; and to re-site the others in an appropriate and attractive pattern so that they are readily visible but easy to maintain. The paths through and alongside the Churchyard will also be improved.

The Vicar would like to hear from anyone who has any views as to how the Churchyard should be enhanced, anyone who is currently responsible for the care and maintenance of any of the memorials in the Churchyard, and anyone who has any views on these proposals or would like further information.

Please contact in the first instance: the Revd Steve Paynter, St Mary’s Church, St Mary’s Rd, London, W5 5RH (e-mail office@stmarysealing.org.uk; telephone to 020-8567 0414) – if possible, by 1 November 2010.