Churchyard

Churchyard

In common with most parish churches, the churchyard at St Andrew's originally covered a fairly wide area in the vicinity of the church building; it is here that earliest 17th and 18th century gravestones are to be found on the south side, bearing in mind that in medieval times the north side of the churchyard was often unconsecrated, and used by parishioners for social and recreational gatherings.

This part of the churchyard also contains a fine old 14th century preaching cross, while set in the wall is a charity stone giving details of a parish benefaction, all remnants of a bygone age.

Extensions to the churchyard were added in 1920 and 1943, with a further extension in 1988. The whole area slopes gently north, looking towards the Bristol Channel and the Failand Ridge, presenting an attractive and tranquil view much valued by visitors to family graves. One of the great achievements in the 1980s and 1990s was the complete rebuilding under faculty of the whole of the churchyard walls, the laying of natural stone paths, and the enhancement of the road verges, a huge task completed due to the outstanding skills of a local Bristol Stonemason and his assistant. More recently an area of the churchyard has been set aside to serve as a focus for the present day interment of cremated remains.

Two stone walls contain the names of parishioners commemorated, and between them is set an iconic crucifix, a striking feature that originally stood on the estate of a local parishioner William Garrett as a memorial to his son who was killed whilst on active service as a pilot in the First World War.

Two complementary surveys have recently been produced which record all burials and memorials throughout the churchyard. The Nailsea Local History Society has undertaken publication and copies can be obtained from Mr John Brain - 01275 463132 - a valuable archive for those wishing to refer to family connections with the parish.

The Churchyard is maintained partly by church volunteers and partly by local contractors; with its spread of yew trees, flowering cherries and other species, plus the annual planting of flower beds it retains the best features of a country churchyard of which the parish is justly proud.