The sun was shining, the sky was a cloudless blue and, at 2.00 pm last Friday afternoon, the assembled masses were very much looking forward to a talk by the Revd Dr Mark Betson, National Public Policy Advisor. His talk was entitled “Churchyards: life in all its fullness”.
The church was adorned with numerous floral displays as part of the Celebrating Creation series of events inspired by the much-loved swift colony and wild flower circle project which started in the Autumn of 2021. Refreshments and light lunches were available throughout the festival, in the church and at the New Inn. Entry was by donation.
After a brief welcoming introduction from the Revd Johnathan Meyer, Mark took to the lectern and, after explaining what his title meant and what his job entailed, we were all better informed than we were ten minutes earlier.
Mark spent his first 25 years as a local, growing up in Three Oaks and with fond memories of Guestling, and especially Guestling church, where he spent many happy days. He referenced the gravestone along the path to the main church entrance which was regularly used as a draining board, adorned with freshly scrubbed dishes following an event at the church, often involving tea and homemade cakes. I witnessed this at first hand and initially thought it was a strange practice but later decided that it was a good use of something which would otherwise have no tangible purpose other than then obvious.
Despite Mark’s hugely successful career path, he described to us that despite everything, locally he was and still is known as Monica’s boy.
Mark’s working week is what makes his job interesting: one day may be spent surrounded by bishops and deacons debating policy; he could be at Lambeth Palace the next day or in York giving a talk; but today, we were lucky enough to see him in Winchelsea before he made his way to Tenterden to see his new niece.
Churchyards are unique – they are somewhere to express grief and love, a place for nature, a green space, a unique environment, a public place with cultural heritage, mixed ownership and accessible to all. What do you find in churchyards? Peace, history, contemplation and nature. Nature plays a role in healing but nature can take over. Mark made reference to an elderly gentleman who was not entirely convinced that letting nature take its course unchecked was a good thing. Having tended graves for many years, his concern would be who would tend his grave when his day comes. If it were overgrown with foliage, would he be forgotten?
Ironically graveyards came more into their own during the pandemic, as standing close together inside was not allowed, and the viable alternative was to use the churchyard which became very popular as people had no choice but to adapt and change with the times.
The talk drew to a close, followed by a question and answer session after which Mark kindly allowed me to take his photograph standing in the churchyard in front of the wildflower circle surrounded by flowers and nature which is what today’s visit to St Thomas’ church in Winchelsea was all about.
Here are a selection of the displays on show, sorry if yours is not amongst them.
Image Credits: Nick Forman .