The Rt Revd Nick McKinnel, Bishop of Plymouth consecrated a recently acquired piece of land as part of the churchyard at St Michael & All Angel’s Princetown on 25 September 2017.

The land was acquired from the Duchy of Cornwall following enquires made by Revd Preb Nick Shutt, Rector of West Dartmoor Mission Community.

“We found that a triangle of land which is covered with trees and shrubs did not belong to the churchyard but was vested in the Duchy of Cornwall. The Duchy, when they became aware of this anomaly, were very helpful in transferring the land to the church so it could become part of the churchyard. It was sold for £1 plus payment of the Duchy’s legal costs. It was transferred to the church strictly on the basis that it would be used as part of the churchyard. That is why today the Bishop of Plymouth consecrated this piece of land to be used for ever as part of the churchyard,” commented Nick Shutt.

Although St Michael’s church is closed for regular worship, and is maintained by the Churches Conservation Trust, the churchyard remains open for burials. Recently work has been completed to repair the wall at the front of the church and the gates have been restored. The work was supervised by Mr John Page, conservation surveyor.

“The churchyard is a community asset and it is important that people can still be buried in their community if they wish. We have recently set aside a new area for the burial of cremated remains in the churchyard as the existing area, behind the front wall of the churchyard is now full,” commented Nick Shutt.

“We have been very grateful for the support of Dartmoor Forest Parish Council who have ensured that the churchyard is kept in good order together with volunteers who have helped repair the stone walls at the back of the churchyard and renewed the pathways. Without this goodwill, the churchyard would not be in the good condition we now find it in.”