AN APPEAL has been launched by Droitwich’s Langrick Trust for First and Second World War memorabilia to help it safeguard the long-term future of the town’s churchyards.
It follows a fund-raising partnership with the Bygones Museum in Devon which will pay the trust market value for any items it can acquire.
The cash will then be put to maintaining Droitwich’s four burial grounds at St Marys, St Augustines, St Nicholas and St Peters.
Last week members of the Langrick Trust headed to Torquay to launch the scheme with Richard Cuming, one of the museum’s owners.
The Langrick Trust was set up last month by Rev Nigel Byard, Kevin Hyett who maintains St Marys Churchyard and author and historian Paul Jones.
Separate from the Parochial Church Council (PCC) which maintains the church buildings, the trust’s aim is to ensure the churchyards are the best they can possibly be for visitors and families of those buried in them.
The trust’s funding will also provide interest-free loans for headstones for people who cannot afford them in one payment.
Volunteers are still being sought to work on maintenance parties to keep the grounds looking pristine, fund-raisers and people to take up behind the scenes administrative jobs.
Another idea is to introduce designated areas to encourage traditional wildlife, including bees and butterflies and appeal has also been launched for wooden pallets which Mr Hyett will transform into benches for mourners and visitors to sit on.
Noticeboards in the churchyards will provide more details about the Langrick Trust and anyone wanting to volunteer for the organisation, find out more or donate some First or Second World War memorabilia can call Rev Nigel Byard on 01905 778265, Kevin Hyett 07512 063937 or by writing to the Droitwich Parish Office at St Andrews Church.
