Ardleigh Cemetery

St Mary's Churchyard ceased having burials during the mid-19th Century and a new public Cemetery was opened in 1860, on ground next to what was Holly Court and is now Ardleigh Court.  A subsequent extension came into existence in 1919 and a further extension was consecrated in 1954.  

Cemeteries are valued not only for their historical context but also as green spaces. They provide habitats for wildlife and contribute to the local ecosystem.

The very oldest part of Ardleigh Cemetery has now become a conservation area and will be managed for wildlife and plant diversity.  The grass will be allowed to grow throughout the summer months.  It will be cut in the Autumn and the cuttings removed to allow for a greater diversity of plants to come through. Yellow Rattle Seed will be introduced to attach to the roots of the grass species to slow its growth, creating space for a wider range of wildflower seeds to flourish.

Other introductions to the conservation area are a log pile and stumpery. A log pile is an excellent habitat for a range of wildlife, including invertebrates, small mammals, and amphibians. The damp environment created by logs, bark, and leaves offers shelter and interesting food sources. Some creatures take up permanent residence, while others use it as a safe space during the day or a frost-free location for overwintering. As the wood decays over time, more animals can make their home in it. Visible fungi and mosses may also grow on the logs. Our log pile has holes drilled into the wood for bees and other insects and there are entrances made at the bottom for hedgehogs.

The stumpery is similar to the log pile but consists of upright logs, half buried in the soil, on which moss, lichen and fungi will grow. Deadwood makes a wonderful wildlife habitat, providing food and shelter for a huge number of invertebrates, including wood-boring beetles, solitary bees and woodlice.  The hope is to attract Stag Beetles in particular. Stag beetles are suffering from a loss of habitat. The UK has lost much of its native broadleaved woodland and decaying wood is often removed, leading to a decrease in the natural resources stag beetles rely on.  Our part of Essex is a stronghold for Stag Beetles and so it is important to provide habitats for them to thrive.

Bird, bat and owl boxes will be placed around the Cemetery to encourage a greater diversity of wildlife.

There will be a count of plants, birds and other wildlife and continued study as to the increase in biodiversity within the conservation area and the whole of the Cemetery.

We hope that visitors to the Cemetery will take time to look at the conservation area and appreciate the peaceful environment it provides. Conservation work is carried out voluntarily by members of Ardleigh Practical Action on Climate and Environment