Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

A small ceremony of thanksgiving was held on Tuesday to mark the 180th anniversary of the consecration of Rectory Lane Cemetery by the Bishop of Lincoln on 11 October 1842. Fr Stuart offered prayers of thanksgiving and blessed the foundation stone.

The Victorian cemetery was created as the “overflow” burial ground for St Peter’s on land donated by the Dowager Countess of Bridgewater, and has been lovingly restored by the Friends of St Peter’s in recent years. The cemetery is a cherished part of St Peter’s parish history, and several former rectors, churchwardens, bellringers and parishioners are buried here. It is open every day and is a pleasant green space in the heart of town.

In the evening, volunteers from the cemetery project, including grave adopters, mowers, researchers and supporters, gathered for a social evening at the Mad Squirrel brewery across the road. A cake was cut, and the first jars of this year’s honey from the cemetery beehives went on sale!