Management Plan for Letton churchyard at www.lettonvillage.com

General description
Biological Flora : Grassland and wall plants, Lichens, Trees
Biological Fauna : Small mammals, Bats, Birds, Amphibians and reptiles
Cultural : Archaeology, Public Interest, Educational use, Interpretation, Recreational Use
Overall Objectives : Grassland, Walls, gravestones and other masonry, Trees, Church building
Interpretation, Education and Access, Monitoring and Review
Appendices

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Churchyards

The British Churchyard is unique in Europe and possibly the world for its richness and diversity of plants and animals. No other habitat has such a variety of species in so small and accessible a space.

Grassland is often species rich and in some cases acts as a refuge for rare and uncommon wildflowers and fungi. There are old, distinctive and veteran trees of great historical and cultural significance. The stonework provides a home for a mosaic of mosses and ferns and is a major habitat for lichens; many being rare and only recorded in churchyards. Stonewalls have some of the finest wall vegetation in Europe, having taken years to colonise with specialised flora.

The archaeology and history reveal evidence of the past and document the lives of people who have lived and worked in the Parish, providing an opportunity for local history study.

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, LETTON

Description

A small, compact churchyard with an irregular distribution of trees mostly in the SE corner which gives the effect of the churchyard being sheltered with an open, light aspect. The entrance is via a hand gate on the eastern boundary, from where a straight path runs westwards to the south porch and then on to a second gate in the western boundary. The boundaries comprise stone walls with brick cappings on the northern and eastern edges, a high brick wall to the west and a cypress hedge to the south.

The churchyard is bordered by a large farmyard on the north side, a cottage to the west and the gardens and grounds of a large house to the south and east. ln terms of nature conservation value the combination of open and wooded space provides a rich habitat for plants and animals. The lack of open countryside immediately bordering the churchyard may hamper colonisation by plants however, plants from adjacent gardens may spread into the churchyard.

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Take Part

If you would like to take part, or would like to support this project, please email godsacre@lettonvillage.com for more details.