Conservation charity launches new DVD highlights……The Beautiful Burial Ground

A new, 30-minute film, The Beautiful Burial Ground, made by national conservation charity Caring for God’s Acre, is set to take viewers on a journey from the remote country churchyards of the Welsh borderlands, to the large urban cemeteries of the north-west.

Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Allchurches Trust, the DVD highlights many of the remarkable features found in the UK’s churchyards and burial grounds - from yew trees and meadowlands, through to the man-made monuments and memorials.

Wild Edric Media was commissioned to make the DVD by Caring for God’s Acre, and filmed it over a period of almost one full year. The documentary style film features nationally renowned experts, and was shot in churchyards in Hope Bagot, Bishop’s Castle, Whitton and Stanton Lacey in Shropshire, and Discoed in Powys. The cemeteries featured include Toxteth Park Cemetery in Liverpool, and Crumpsall Road Jewish Cemetery in Manchester.

The new DVD is a further step towards highlighting the many possibilities which exist for the public to take full advantage of an estimated 20-30,000 such sites - a remarkable collection of undesignated nature reserves scattered amongst our towns, cities and country parishes.

Currently celebrating its 15th year as a charity, Caring for God’s Acre not only shares its vision of enhancing and conserving burial grounds - which are often ancient sites full of life and a haven for nature - but also encourages people to use these remarkable green spaces for learning, and for community activities such as conservation work or special events.

As well as churchgoers, cemetery managers, teachers and specialist interest groups, the general public also hold the key to the long-term future of these fascinating sites. Burial grounds are, says the charity, places to go to in search of nature, local history, community involvement, peace, and tranquility.

At a time when an incredible 98% of the UK’s ancient, unspoiled grasslands have disappeared since 1945, many of the older churchyard sites have remained virtually unchanged for generations, allowing plants and animals to flourish alongside historic monuments and memorials - and creating living sanctuaries, worthy of conservation, at the very heart of communities across Britain.

Caring for God’s Acre has also recently launched a popular fold-out Guide to Wildlife of Burial Grounds.

The charity’s four-year National Project, funded by the Heritage Lottery, has attracted the support of HRH The Prince of Wales and has, as its Patrons, Sir Roy Strong, Professor David Bellamy, Lawrence Banks CBE and the Right Reverend Dr Alan Smith.

Its current National Project features a wide range of activity, including a series of regional conferences, specialist heritage skills training days, the production of advisory materials such as the fold-out guide and DVD, a helpline, and the creation of case studies illustrating several burial ground projects.

Copies of The Beautiful Burial Ground - priced at just £5 (plus £1 p&p) - which goes on general release from Monday November 30, can be obtained by emailing info@cfga.org.uk, or by writing to Caring for God's Acre at 11 Drovers House, The Auction Yard, Craven Arms, Shropshire, SY7 9BZ. (Tel: 01588 673041).

For further details visit http://www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk.

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For further information, please contact:Sue CooperTel: 01588-673041Email: sue@cfga.org.uk

or,

Harriet CartyTel: 01588-673041Email: harriet@cfga.org.uk

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported over 30,000 projects, allocating £4.7 billion across the UK. Website: www.hlf.org.uk