CHURCHYARDS in Norfolk are being transformed through Community Payback, a partnership between the diocese and probation services.
The first church to profit is St Peter’s, Crostwick, which is under the care of the Diocese of Norwich Churches Trust, which holds the obligation for some churches and enables them to carry occasional services.
The churchyard had grow to be very overgrown, and graves were hidden from view. The diocesan church-buildings support officer, Nicola Lewis, said: “The churchyard at Crostwick had grow to be dangerously overgrown, and it wasn’t possible for the local people to take care of it. Community Payback stepped in.
“Thanks to this scheme run by the Probation Service in Norfolk, the churchyard has been transformed from a bracken-covered ‘field’ to a protected and tidy place for families and visitors to return. We are very grateful and sit up for expanding the scheme in 2026.”
Other churches have signed as much as the Community Payback scheme independently. A licensed lay minister in Salhouse, James Watts, said that it “truly is a win-win-win for everybody, for the community, which sees the wonderful good thing about churchyard management, for those on the scheme who need to feel they’re making a positive difference, and for the churchwarden coping with the thorny issue of managing an ancient churchyard with biodiversity”.
The parish of Redenhall with Harleston has also signed as much as the scheme, and saved the PCC greater than £4000 in maintenance.
The Probation Service said that those collaborating within the work had found it enjoyable and rewarding. Paul Appleyard, of the East of England Probation Services, said: “For us, these projects are about greater than just maintenance: they assist preserve the heritage of our churches while creating spaces that encourage biodiversity and protect local wildlife. It’s an excellent example of how collaboration advantages each the community and the environment.
“I actually have all the time found that folks on probation engage very positively with the work we do in churches. They understand that they’re completing useful, worthwhile tasks for the area people while also supporting local wildlife through the environmental improvements we make in churchyards across the county.”
More churches are expected to profit from the scheme next 12 months, although numbers might be determined by the Community Payback team’s capability.
