On Sunday 23rd December 2012, Councillor Kirkman and I attended the 3rd meeting of the new Jubilee Graveyard Committee.

This committee has been formed as a partnership between the Parish Council and All Saints Church to manage the new graveyard.

We discussed the decision of the Parish Council as to the further grant for the project. This was decided at the Parish Council meeting in December. The Council decided to offer a grant of £1,500 towards the cost of rebuilding the wall, plus a further £1,330 which will be loaned and repaid out of future proceeds of the graveyard sales.

We discussed the proposed charges which we have been consulting on:-

Right of forthwith interment for a grave of single depth £750

Right of forthwith interment for a grave of double depth £1000

Right of interment during next 30 years for a grave of single depth (ie reservation)  £600

Right of interment during next 30 years for a grave of double depth (ie reservation) £800

Right of forthwith interment of ashes of single depth £300

Right of forthwith interment of ashes of double depth £400

Right of interment during next 30 years of ashes of single depth £240

Right of interment during next 30 years of ashes of double depth £320

Right to install a grave headstone of approved specification £250

Right to install a tablet of approved specification on an ashes plot £100

We have so far not received negative comment on these proposals but agreed to consult further.

The Church will seek approval at the Congregation Meeting towards the end of January 2013 to fund a further £2,500 towards the costs of the rebuilding of the wall and the gates between the old churchyard and the new graveyard. We agreed the wording and position off the engraved stone which will be placed in the re-built wall. It will say :-

“The Jubilee Graveyard

provided for the residents of Loughton Parish

by Loughton Parish Council and All Saints Church Loughton

2012”

Our next meeting will be in early February, by which time the works should be proceeding. The seeding of the grass will follow in March or April as the weather allows. We agreed the arrangements by which sales could start and after the next congregation meeting the first sales can proceed.

We are now nearing the completion of this project which has been a very long time in the making. I am pleased to have been able to give it impetus towards resolution.