Churchyard Working Group

The churchyard was constructed in a circular pattern in the early Christian era, like some others in the Chester area. Currently it is still an open churchyard. At the end of 2017 a new cremated remains area was made as there were few spaces left. A Faculty was granted for this.

A public footpath runs along the west boundary wall which is currently being monitored as there are some old and large yew trees growing alongside the structure, which may cause problems in the future.

31. churchyardv1.JPG

(Photo Credits: David Cummings)

Community

Since November 2016 the maintenance of the churchyard has been done regularly by the Probation Service Community Payback team aided every month by a Churchyard Working Party of volunteers. Biscuits, snacks & cakes are very often provided by the volunteers and is excellent for fellowship and morale. The success of this venture is evident by the praise given by people walking through the area or visiting graves. Dates for the working party can be found in the weekly news sheet, parish website, and on the notice boards.

Nature

Currently, we are re-wilding a section of the churchyard. Re-wilding is a process which aims to assist with restoring nature and increase the numbers of pollinators such as bees and butterflies etc. Re-wilding is a well recognised process and is being publicised extensively through horticultural organisations such as the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

Further information about this topic can be found if you make your way over to the RHS website. Read more

The value of re-wilding has been echoed in an enlightening article authored by Archdeacon Ian Bishop (with acknowledgement to Katy Purvis). If you would like to learn about this then please feel free to follow this link. Bio Diversity

Achieving Net zero responsibly

Although this is primarily a sacred churchyard it is none-the-less still an area of natural beauty and like much of the surrounding Cheshire countryside is a precious resource and is something which we need to protect. According to the Climate Change Committee (UK Government established body) we cannot achieve net zero carbon emissions without rewilding.

Follow the link to understand about the work of the Climate Change Committee Read more

However, this must also be balanced against the backdrop of measurable strategies using sustainable and workable planting schemes. The other thing of course is keeping safety requirements in mind to keep those who use the churchyard regularly, safe from potential injury or harm.

(Organisation by Churchwardens & Hornbeams were

planted by Huw & Lesley Morgan)

New Hornbeams

St James' Church Christleton has planted two new Hornbeam trees near the vets at Vicars' Cross, Littleton in January 2023. This is to off-set St James' Church carbon footprint for the removal of two trees from the churchyard late last year. It was decided not to plant any new trees in the churchyard due to the problems associated with roots causing footpath movement and damage, and grave disturbance. That is to say we all want lots of trees to help reduce the effects of climate change but as academics and research have rightly pointed out that re-wilding management and practice is also about having the correct balance of tree-life in the right place!

Cinnabar Moth at St James' Churchyard faces 80 percent decline in the UK

Helping Wildlife

It is said that the UK is one of the most wildlife depleted nations in the world. Whether there are any statistics or intelligence to back up this claim remain as ever a mystery.

The Cinnabar moth (pictured above) taken in St James' Churchyard in 2025 according to the Butterfly Conservation website is on the decline by as much as 80 percent. Whether these claims can be officially verified remains elusive. It is true to say that there are many species facing challenges to their existence.

St James' has tried re-wilding in the past by planting wild flower seeds in a few selected areas of the churchyard. St James' working parties and churchwardens' approach is to allow certain areas of grass to grow and give wildlife some space! The Churchyard has been visited by a large number of ground nesting bees.

Do you want to help in our churchyard?

If you or anybody you know would like to volunteer some time during working parties organised for one morning each month normally the 1st Saturday we would be so grateful. Delicious cakes and snacks are almost always a part of it too! As we always say none of the St James' Churchyard would look so lovely without the help and assistance we get from the Probation Community Payback volunteers and of course anyone else who gives up some of their time to come and help us. Please get in contact with any of the team via:

Parish mobile Tel: 07487642912 or the Churchwardens
Email: office@stjameschristleton.org.uk

The dates for working parties are available on the noticeboards located around the church. Please also keep an eye on our Whats on page which is our church website calendar.

Working parties are on-going and are monthly. If you want to Keep up-to-date via our blog simply follow the link:St James' Newsletter blog

Conservation & working as a Community in 2026

Those of you who walk around Christleton, and regularly attend church on Sundays will have seen the churchyard looking magnificent, as the beautiful nature photographs above show! However, this can only happen with the hard work and dedication by both the working party teams each month combined with the weekly Probation Service Community Payback people without which none of this would happen. It goes without saying we are so grateful to all who help!

There are a myriad of other very important things which go on behind the scenes which may not be so obvious but are crucial to effective management of the churchyard & safety. Churchyards do not have the most level of grounds - which is hardly surprising when you consider what the purpose of the area is for. External churchyard garden walls, pathways and graves are all affected by tree roots which, unchecked may cause problems. So it is a continual challenge to keep the balance of an environmentally sound but safe churchyard and also keeping a tight ship as far as finances are concerned!

St James' Church is within a conservation area so tree management is one of many responsibilities of the PCC. This is why we work very closely with the Diocese and the local authorities.

If at any point in time there are contractors working around the churchyard we kindly ask you to show consideration and courtesy towards them. Everyone works extremely hard to keep St James' Church and Churchyard the heritage it deserves to be.

Thankyou.