St Andrew’s Church in Aycliffe Village is currently carrying out an inspection of the headstones in the churchyard. Following a number of tragic accidents in cemeteries across the country in recent years it is important that headstones are kept in a safe condition.
A significant number of the headstones at St Andrew’s need remedial repairs to render them safe. Families of the deceased are responsible for the safe condition and stability of their headstones. Following inspections by representatives from the local council and subsequently by two stonemasons the work has been prioritized in order of urgency.
The headstones of the following people have been found to be in need of immediate remedial repair to render them safe:
Mary Graham Joseph Kent
George Jagger Thomas Lax
Marjorie Robinson Mabel Stowe
Charles Hodgson Dorothy Arthur
Robert Crusher Clarence Bartram
Winifred Doran
One of the local stonemasons is prepared to carry out repair work on headstones in groups at a reduced rate in order to benefit the families, and the Church is in the process of acquiring legal permission from the Diocese of Durham to enable the work to be done.
Please contact Rev’d Elizabeth Bland by letter or email to discuss this further if you are next of kin to any of those named above.
St Francis Vicarage, Burnhope, Newton Aycliffe DL5 7ER
Elizabeth.a.bland@gmail.com