Cusop Churchyard

 I've got a copy of the lidar results for Cusop Churchyard, from the survey that was done as part of the historical research into the history of the church, so I went up yesterday (in between the early shower and the later thunderstorm!) to see how it related to the present day churchyard.  

There's a clear, though partial, oval on the map, which must be the original boundary of the churchyard, with the church in the middle.  The modern churchyard has grown round the edges, and in the area to the west of the church, which is sometimes used for car parking, it disappears entirely.  The features on the lidar map are all underground, and thus invisible when you're walking round the churchyard, though I did like the way that one of the mown paths, between the church and the old school, more or less follows the line of the original boundary.  

That's the area of the churchyard where the fallen oak tree has been carved by Danny Thomas.  The parish council had a list of animals to suggest to him, and got a badger and an owl, but Danny thought that the third branch would be best as an otter, which wasn't on the list, but they're delighted with it.

 

I met one of the churchwardens, sweeping up the yew tree needles by the church door, and she told me all about it.  They're also quite excited, in the group of parishes that includes Cusop, about the licensing of their new vicar, Rev. Vicki Burrows - just as soon as all the paperwork can be sorted out!  She's already written the Thought for the Month in the Link magazine, and she will be living in the Rectory at Cusop with her husband Billy.

Cusop Church is also an Eco Church, and they've done a lot to encourage wildlife in the churchyard - and they report in the Link that an adder has been seen in Cusop Dingle!

The Friends of Cusop Church will be holding a Table Top Sale in Cusop Village Hall on Sunday 20th September from 10am to 12 noon.  If anyone wants to book a table, they are £5, and you contact Cherry on 01497 820 396. 

And on Tuesday 22nd September, John Price will be showing films of local interest at the monthly Tea and Chat meeting at Cusop Village Hall at 2pm.  Also with tea and a raffle.