Template:Courier-OCT-24-11
HIDDEN GEM WILL BE OPENED UP TO ALL
Plans are being drawn up by Holy Trinity Church to share its churchyard with the wider community. The Way Maker Churchyard Project aims to open up this hidden gem in the heart of Claygate, rich with natural beauty and history.
The Church says its vision is to create a welcoming environment that honours and respects those who come to remember loved ones. It is aiming to foster wellbeing for body, mind and spirit by providing a peaceful sanctuary, with a focus on biodiversity and wildlife, ensuring that the churchyard is a place where people can connect with nature.
Design plans and drawings, developed by Selina Botham, an award-wining garden designer who lives in Claygate, are on display in the church and everyone is welcome to call in and view them.
The main elements of the project include the creation of access to the Recreation Ground by providing a new gate next to the Pavilion Café, with new pathways laid to enable a route from the Rec to Church Road. Strategically placed benches will be installed to create “peace pockets” with beautiful views across the churchyard and opportunities for quiet reflection.
A wildflower meadow will also be created with grass pathways to enable people to walk through the meadow. And in the corner of the churchyard by the Pavilion, and adjacent to the new path, there will be a wildlife area with new trees and shrubs and a shallow pond.
A seating area outside the rear entrance of the church foyer is also planned. It will be enhanced to enable easy access into the church building if people want to take part in mid-week activities or have coffee and chat. This area will have raised flower beds and fruit trees. The War Memorial and Garden of Remembrance will also be improved to make both areas more attractive.
The Church hopes the project will develop some of the recommendations of Claygate: The Way Forward, the survey carried out by the Claygate Village Association, by enhancing Claygate’s distinctive character, supporting and strengthening the community, and offering educational opportunities for local schools to learn about nature, local history and community gardening.
The Church wants everyone in the parish to feel involved and share a sense of joint ownership. Anyone with the skills, talents, or a desire to contribute, is invited to help in making this vision a reality. Even after the project is complete, the Church says villagers’ help in maintaining and enhancing the churchyard would be greatly appreciated. Email waymaker@htclaygate.org to become involved.
For information, visit: https://htclaygate.org/waymaker/
