The generosity of volunteers and donors made a significant difference at All Saints’ Church Dibden, enabling vital improvements to a much-loved churchyard. Their support helped transform the space into a safer, more welcoming place, allowing people to visit and remember loved ones with comfort and dignity.
In the parish of Dibden, God has blessed the community with two very different churches. One of which, All Saints’ Church, is surrounded by a three-acre churchyard, which is an incredibly special place for the local and church communities.
The upkeep of the churchyard is not without its challenges, and the church are very fortunate to have a loyal band of volunteers who regularly mow, tend flower beds, hedges and ditches. This work is supplemented by churchyard work parties, which involve all ages of the congregation, from young to old and also by some paid contractors.
After a couple of wet winters, the Garden of Remembrance had become waterlogged, with muddy, slippery pathways. Volunteers undertook some drainage work, but it was felt that professional help was needed to put in some more drainage and new pathways.
The church took advice and obtained several quotes from contractors, and with this information, a faculty was applied for through the DAC. During this time of waiting, the Rector wrote an open letter apologising for the problems people were experiencing when coming to visit the churchyard. He detailed what steps the church were hoping to take if the faculty were to be agreed, and shared the estimated cost of around £20,000. One line at the bottom of this letter invited contributions towards the project. The letter was published in the parish magazine and on the church’s website.
Before too long, All Saints’ Church received the faculty, the work started, and the results have been amazing! The added answer to prayer was that the project came in under budget and generous contributions paid for almost a quarter of the cost. The church community are so grateful for their new pathways, which enhance the lovely atmosphere of the beautiful churchyard and enable people to visit their loved ones.
