Judges and the judged met last Saturday to celebrate the Churchyard Awards' 2025 crop of care for community and creation.
The diocese's Eco chamption, Dr Jan Frith presented certificates to those present form the fourty participating parishes, with an exceptional number of Gold and Silver awards given this year.
St Peters Alstonefield were awarded Churchyard of the Year and collected the stone trophy, with Church Garden of the Year going to Church of the Holy Spirit, Harlescott.
Other special mentions were made of Basil from St Matthews Meerbrook, who, at 86, manages the churchyard singlehandedly and has now done so for 57 years; and children from Swynnerton who help their dad in that churchyard. HeathTown was commended for amazing work and excellent signage and information displayed around their large churchyard as were Streetly and Colwich who consistently sustain a very hight standard year after year.
Josie Wall from Caring for God’s Acre gave an enlightening talk about ‘Our Digital Ancestors’ project which was well received.
Acton Trussell - St James |
…reference to special graves which are photographed and plotted |
Alstonefield - St Peters |
Churchyard of the Year 2025…a wonderful addition of a painting of the churchyard with delightful details of significant people and historical facts displayed on a board in the churchyard |
Aston-by-Stone - St Saviour’s |
…work is being done to open up and give safe access to the mausoleum at the back of the churchyard, which will provide a point of historical interest
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Baschurch - All Saints |
…a delightful prayer labyrinth path has been cut through inviting visitors to take time to wander and to reflect
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Bednall - All Saints |
…a very neat area for the interment of ashes is neat and tidy and with well-maintained benches close by
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Bradley - St Mary and All Saints |
…a comprehensive plan that has been developed for the management of the churchyard
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Bramshall - St Lawrence |
…a clear welcome and explanation of the actions taken to promote biodiversity
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Calverhall - Holy Trinity |
…secondary paths through the grass give good access to more recent graves
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Church Eaton - St Editha |
…a wonderful variety of plants at the church entrance and by the sheds
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Colemere - St John the Evangelist |
…a bug hotel with explanatory notes about the different materials used to attract different insects
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Colwich - St Michael and All Angels |
…hanging baskets adorn an old tree stump & picnic table overlooking canal
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Enville - St Mary the Virgin |
…comprehensive information about church and community events displayed
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Great Barr - St Margaret’s |
…working in collaboration with Birmingham university botany department and various history and natural history groups
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Great Bolas - St John the Baptist |
… an illustrated trail provides further interest for visitors with historical information including significant graves
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Great Haywood - St Stephen’s |
…innovative use of a shade over the bench by the church door gives protection & keeps it clean
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Hanley St Luke’s |
…a wonderful variety of colourful potted plants and shrubs
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Harlescott - - Church of the Holy Spirit - |
Church Garden of the Year 2025…a well-positioned sign gives a good report on the actions taken and wildlife management of the garden
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Heath Town - Holy Trinity |
…the standard of the noticeboards and information provided, both at the entrance and around this very large church yard, is outstanding
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Kingstone - St John the Baptist |
…effective and appropriate actions being taken to manage the moles!
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Kinver St Peter’s |
…lovely planting of lavender and roses alongside the entrance path
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Leigh All Saints |
…good access to the church with paths well maintained and edged providing a clear welcome
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Lichfield - Christ Church |
…an attractive planters and benches by the church provide a delightful place for visitors to sit and rest
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Lichfield Cathedral |
…colourful borders are well planted with a variety of species and accompanying notes describe and explain their historical links and associations
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Meerbrook - St Matthews |
…a delightful old stone wall in the middle of the churchyard supports a wealth of ferns and mosses in a churchyard lovingly maintained by Basil
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Newtown - King Charles the Martyr |
…secondary grass paths cut round the churchyard invite visitors to walk round and enjoy the beauty of the amazing trees
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Oxon - Christchurch |
…an engaging trail around the churchyard linking prayer and nature
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Petton - St Raphael and St Isadore |
…areas of long grass are left along the fences to allow for wildflowers
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Shareshill - St Mary and St Luke |
…a record of birds seen, along with a guide to wildlife in a churchyard provides further interest for visitors
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Shifnal - St Andrews |
…the many lovely trees are checked annually and managed effectively
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Shrewsbury - St Peter’s |
…a delightful children’s garden adjacent to the main door
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Stonnall - St Peter’s |
…the wild flower meadow area is delineated and has a very creative board identifying species that could be observed
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Streetly - All Saints |
…a bug hotel which was constructed creatively by children using recycled materials
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Sutton Maddock - St Mary’s |
…a beautifully maintained area for the interment of ashes, weed free, stone plaques neatly edges and a bench located nearby
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Swynnerton - St Mary’s |
…the graves are exceptionally well maintained, tidy and edged with no artificial tributes evident
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Tittensor - St Lukes |
…weekly newsletter displayed by the church includes information about wildlife and the latest developments in the churchyard
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Walsall - St Matthews |
…wild flowers flourishing in the designated areas and a list of the species found is displayed for visitors
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Wednesfield - St Thomas |
…effective use of QR codes … and a prayer path, with labels encouraging prayer and reflection
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Welshampton - St Michael and All Angels |
…lovely planting beside a bench in area where ashes interred with a thoughtful verse displayed
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Wem - Whitchurch Road Cemetery |
…plan by the entrance identifies points of interest and finger posts direct visitors to these features
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Yoxall - St Peter’s |
…newly planted trees and accompanying Bible verses encouraging people to pause and ponder
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We spoke to Churchyard Awards coordinator, Alison Primrose earlier this summer: you can watch her interview here.