The Old Churchyard.

One inscription in the old churchyard has attained notoriety. The grave is on the south side of the Church and the stone is inscribed:

In memory of Lettuce Manning

who died 11th July, 1737 aged 49 years

Oh cruel death, to please thy palate

Cut down Lettuce to make a Sallett.

Eleven years later the name of Lettuce Manning's sister - Margaret Lot - was added on the same stone with less striking words:

Fairwell fain world, I've seen enought of ye

and now am careless what thou say'st of me

Thy smiles I could not, nor the frowns I fear

My life is past, my head lies quiet here.

Towards the end of the last century an epedemic of diptheria broke out in village. It was particularly bad among the children and quite a number of them died. The small graves are in a row on the north side of the church, to the left of the pathway. Each grave was marked with a small iron cross inscribed with the childs initials and the year. These iron crosses were removed during the last war. The small mounds can still be seen. There were families where two and some where three children died.

The Churchyard Extension

In 1924, part of Dove Close was bought and used as an extension to the Churchyard.

The War Memorial

The War Memorial stands outside the North door of the Church. It was unveiled in 1920. Names of the fallen are inscribed on the stone. Also the names of those who fell in the Second World War and Korean war have been added.

Churchyard Gates

The fine cast iron gates (not the supports) were made by the local blacksmiths, the Poulters. They consist of a large and small gates for transport or pedestrians. Date unknown.

Churchyard Footpath

A public footpath passes from Brookside, through the churchyard, on towards Plantation Hill and Gazeley.