Summary of Holy Ascension Church Grounds
Settle Parish Church grounds are managed entirely by a group of Church Volunteers, working collectively as a team. The area is still used regularly for interments and is, therefore, recognised as a “live working churchyard”.Since 2000AD all headstones and memorials have been re-set and are now reasonably secure. This is an on-going problem, however, as coffins and caskets gently subside and the surrounding ground settles.
In order to assist the mowing of the grass, the grounds have been extensively levelled, while respecting each family grave and replacing the same turf to each plot. This was all done by hand!
The Church grounds are seen as a reflection of the cultural heritage of the people of Settle since the late 1830s. Memorials remain on family graves where they were originally placed and it is interesting to see how these have changed and varied in style and fashion over the years. The grounds are well sheltered by the Settle-Carlisle railway embankment that is, itself, rich in wildlife and plant varieties.
The Church grounds are characterised by three “seasons”, namely –
· First we are nationally renowned for the extensive show of snowdrops that begins in the last week of November each year;
· Second, in spring there is an abundance of narcissus, cheerfulness and daffodil flowers resulting from the 15000 bulbs that have been planted since 2000;
· Third, summer sees the flowering between the graves of the yellow “poached egg plants” that have been deliberately planted between graves where it is difficult to mow or strim.
The volunteer team are proud that all grass cuttings and the majority of grave flowers are regularly raked and collected to make compost for recycling.
Near the Lychgate entrance there is an area designated a “wild garden” that is managed environmentally using the same management regime as a traditional “Dales Hay Meadow”.
To encourage and sustain wildlife, lychens on headstones are conserved, the various dry stone walls preserved and a range of wild fruits, herbs and berries maintained. Examples include wild parsley, several varieties of mint, fennel, Japanese berries, blackcurrant, blackberries, cherries, apples, plums, strawberries, raspberries, an exotic 8 ft celery and (on the east side of the Church) our infamous “ecclesiastical rhubarb”. All in all, a living harvest festival!
The Church grounds have a dignified sanctity within a broad environmental diversity and are lovingly nurtured and cared for by the Church members and those visiting their late loved ones.