The Town Churchard - St James Church – Southam

THE TOWN CHURCHYARD
AT ST JAMES PARISH CHURCH
The Town Churchyard at St James is divided into three areas. Since the church was
first constructed the oldest area that had been used for burials up to around 1800 is
on the south side of the building adjoining Warwick Street and Kirkwall.
The next area that was used is known as the Upper Churchyard from behind the
Market Hill shops on the north side of the building down to the iron railings running
from the War Memorial to Park Lane. Burials in most of this area generally ceased
about 100 years ago but the last one or two took place in family graves in the 1950‘s.
It now contains a dedicated area for the internment of ashes and in addition an area
adjacent to Park Lane was granted permission by the Diocese in September 2004 for
reuse for burials but with stringent conditions.
The third area is all the remainder to the west from the War Memorial down to the
Recreation Ground which started to be used in the late 1800’s and became filled with
graves during 2004. However, where space exists, second burials in existing family
graves can still take place. Even if two burials have taken place cremated ashes of
other family members may still be interred in such graves. Additional inscriptions,
subject to the approval of the Priest in Charge, can be added to the front or back of
any existing memorial.
All people of any denomination who reside within the parish boundaries of
Southam have a right, when they die, to be buried or after cremation to have
their ashes interred in the Town Churchyard at St James so long as space is
still available.
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Items of interest in the churchyard are the Lych Gate built in 1938 and the avenue of
red twigged limes trees leading from it down to the north porch of the church. The
present trees were planted in 2002 replacing the original ones that were planted to
celebrate the victory of Waterloo in 1815. The new trees were given in memory of
Louisa Smith, a teenager, who died in a car accident near Marton in 1999. The Bier
House with it‘s tile roof, adjacent to Park Lane opposite the telephone exchange (the
Bier is no longer stored there) is constructed of concrete blocks that were made at
the local cement works and is believed to be the first building in the country made
with such blocks.
Not far from the War Memorial, down the south side of the path to the recreation

ground, is the grave and memorial of one Seth Bond who survived the Charge of the
Light Brigade. The inscription reads ‘ Trooper Seth Bond, 11 th Hussars, one of the six
hundred served at Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol; erected by public
subscription in recognition of nearly 25 years faithful service to his country’. A booklet
is available in the town library detailing his life. There is another Crimean memorial
just east of the south porch - ‘Thomas Abbotts killed at Alma and Thomas Pratt, both
of the 68 th Regiment; and James Baldwin, Royal Marines. These men died serving
their Queen and country when in defence of the Right, England and France waged
war with Russia, 1854/5.
There are a number of War Grave Commission headstones in the churchyard
marking the graves of forces personnel who died in action in the second world war
and one more recently in Afghanistan.
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Family history is fashionable nowadays and many people both from this country and
from all over the world visit the churchyard to see if gravestones still exist with old
relatives names thereon.
All the surviving parish records of births, marriages and deaths held by St James are,
as of January 2012, being transferred to the internet on freereg and findmypast,
these hope to be completed by 2013.
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THE ST JAMES SOUTHAM TOWN CHURCHYARD
REGULATIONS ARE SET OUT BELOW.
Printed leaflets are available in church or from the Church Office
74D Coventry Street, Southam. (Open Monday to Friday 9am - 1pm).
Burials in the upper churchyard.
Burials in new graves from September 2004 will be in the old part of the upper
churchyard adjacent to Park Lane immediately opposite the Rectory. In order to
comply with the consent for the reuse of this area only Blue Hornton stone is
permitted for memorial stones with a flat or slightly curved top, This is to ensure all
new memorials are in keeping with this old area of the churchyard. One hole only is
permitted in the base stone for a flower container. The maximum height of
memorials allowed above ground including the base slab is 76cm (30ins) and width
54cm (21ins). Artificial flowers are not allowed and no other containers, pots, toys,
photographs or decorations are permitted (and may be removed) neither should
bushes, shrubs or trees be planted on graves. As soon as the ground has settled
after burials the area will be levelled and seeded with grass to allow mowing to be
carried out safely.
It is suggested that no memorial be erected for a least twelve months after the burial
has taken place to allow for settlement. Wooden crosses are not permitted. Families
of the deceased should contact a stonemason at the appropriate time in respect of a
memorial. Stone may be sourced from the Hornton Stone Co.Ltd at Fir Tree Farm,
Warmington, Banbury, OX17 1JL (01295 690925) (who provide a lettering and

installation service for memorials) or relatives may contact a local stonemason. The
stonemason will then write to the Priest in Charge with details of the memorial. If the
proposal is acceptable consent will then be given in writing.
Burial of ashes after cremation.
Cremated ashes may be buried either in an existing family grave or in the reserved
area in the old part of the Upper Churchyard on the north side of the church. Burial of
containers and caskets is not permitted in the reserved area, neither can a memorial
plaque of any kind be placed in this area.
Where ashes are buried in a family grave it is recommended that inscriptions be
inscribed on the existing grave memorial. Families of the deceased must consult with
the Priest in Charge for permission regarding any additional inscription. If the
proposals are acceptable then a stonemason may be contacted.
There is a Book of Remembrance in the church and details of any deceased person,
buried or cremated may be entered in this. Details and charges may be obtained
from the Church Office in respect of the Book of Remembrance and memorial
inscriptions.
General churchyard information.
No glass of any description is permitted in the churchyard neither are chippings of
any kind. No new kerbs of stone, wood or plastic should be installed.
Where old memorials or kerbs become broken or dangerous the Parochial Church
Council reserves the right to remove these for safety reasons.
Please treat the churchyard with respect and help to keep it tidy.
All rubbish of any kind should be placed in the skip or bins provided.
Dogs must be on leads at all times. Please clean up after them if they foul any
part of the churchyard.
All this information was approved by the Southam Parochial Church Council in
April 2009.