ONE of the borough’s churchyards has been listed for a national award following an extensive renovation project.
Members of the Parish of Finchampstead and California said they are delighted that their recently completed Churchyard Extension project has been shortlisted for the Church Times Green Church Award in the Biodiversity category.
The project started when the parish realised that the 12th Century St James’ Church was running out of space for burials. The land chosen for the extension had been left unused for a number of years and was teeming with wildlife include rare species of tree and newt.
Project organisers said that early in the process, they decided to leave as much of the new burials grounds in their natural state.
Also, trees removed were the recycled to make the benches and gates, and boxes were included for bats to nest in.
Churchwarden Ed Sampson, who led the project, said: “It’s enormously rewarding to do it all. We did everything with a soft touch, and it’s worked out really well. It’s really quite exciting; it’s a privilege.”
The winners of the awards will be announced at a special ceremony held at the Archbishop of Canterbury’s London home, Lambeth Palace, on Monday, October 16.