Launch of the Friends of St Mary’s Churchyard

Launch of the Friends of St Mary’s Churchyard – Inaugural meeting on Saturday 11th March at 2pm at St George’s Centenary Centre

Introducing the Friends of St Mary’s Churchyard…

If you know Chichester, you may be familiar with the sight of the historic church near the junction Whyke Road and Quarry Lane. But few people know the churchyard that lies hind it. Yet the churchyard is potentially a great resource for the community!

• a nature reserve in the city, with over 100 species of plants; a refuge for birds, bats, butterflies, beetles and many other creatures

• a storehouse of local and family history

• a place to sit quietly and reflect.

The purpose of the Friends is to enhance these features of the churchyard, and restore it to a valued place in the neighbourhood. This has the strong support of the Rector of St George’s and the Parochial Church Council.

Please come along to the inaugural meeting! There will be no obligation. But there are many possible ways in which you could be a ‘friend’ to the churchyard. You might like to talk about contributing in one or more of these ways (or you may have other talents):

• Clearing vegetation in selected overgrown areas

• Mowing the paths and strimming other areas

• Clearing headstones of ivy

• Recording wildlife

• Installing boxes for birds, bats etc.

• Researching the lives of individuals buried there

• Creating a photographic record

• Creating a website

If you interested but cannot attend the meeting, please email John Fitch at johngfitch51@gmail.com