ALTHOUGH St Peter's Church in Roydon has missed out on the £1,000 first prize for the best kept churchyard in England and Wales, churchyard co-ordinator Faith Davis is not complaining.o

Mrs Davis said: "Though obviously we wanted to go further in the competition, what we've achieved can't be discounted and all of us are proud."

The 800-year-old church, the only one to be selected from Essex, was shortlisted along with 24 other churches after organiser Ecclesiastical Insurance sifted through more than 400 entrants from all over the country.

A survey made last week reduced the number of churches left in the competition to 12, and the church was informed it had not been selected.

But the team of judges was particularly impressed with St Peter's conservation area and its recycling regime in the previous rounds.

Mrs Davis said: "I wasn't surprised as we've worked hard in the last few years and improved our conservation area a great deal. But we were glad, all the same, to be in the top 25."

The significant improvements to the conservation area made with voluntary help from Epping Forest Countrycare included clearance of rubbish and the planting of trees and providing food for birds and mammals, planting 1,000 bluebells under the trees, and installing a cremation memorial and wall to record names and place flowers.

An information board to explain the layout of the churchyard along with a Millennium yew tree, are some of the other notable works carried out.

Vicar the Rev Jim Bateman said: "It was a credit to all concerned to be in the top 25. The churchyard is a place of beauty and peace, which should bring comfort to the bereaved and remind us all of the love of God."

Churchwarden Bill Easton said: "We knew the competition was going to be really fierce for the last two stages but we know we've given it our best shot, and we are proud of our achievements."

November 13, 2001 10:57