It was over three years ago when we first contracted ‘our Darren’ to look after both the churchyard at St James’ and the surrounding Manor House grounds.
He tucked into the job and worked his magic almost instantly as if he had been there for years. He built up a friendly rapport with everyone he bumped into and made the campus his own.
The churchyard and MH grounds were never an easy ‘garden’, quite extensive with all sorts of nooks and crannies with various ups and downs. Not to mention all the lawnmower hazards created by the large number of stone memorials to negotiate!!
Darren always had a friendly word and a chat with whosoever was passing through, either dog-walker or bereaving visitor. He was also always helpful when we had a burial or committal giving that grave area just a little bit of a tidy up to make it look quiet and peaceful for the occasion.
His passing is enormously sad and we will miss his calm and quiet Friday presence getting on with the cutting and strimming, and the multitude of other gardening jobs that he willingly undertook.
He was such a nice chap and always happy to help out on anything, even offering his assistance on the church fete. We shall miss him but remember him when we pass by ‘his’ triangle which was created so that he did not have to slow down on his lawnmower when passing the corner!!! (We intend to make more of that area of the churchyard in his memory and mark it with a plaque.)
Dear Darren, much remembered with love and thanks.
Helen Taylor Churchyard Trust. Jan’ 2021.
