đď¸ On This Day in Wembury — 27 April 1926
Funds Urgently Needed for Churchyard Extension and Wall Repairs
On this day, the Western Morning News reported on the annual parish meeting at Wembury, where two pressing concerns were raised — the extension of the churchyard and the rebuilding of the retaining wall.
The churchyard had been in continuous use since 1611, but by 1926 there was no more burial space available. Mr. H. W. Cory generously offered to donate the land required for an extension on the north side, yet money was still needed for fencing, gates, and other works. Without these, the burden of providing new burial ground would fall on the ratepayers.
The retaining wall on the west end of the churchyard, originally strengthened with buttresses in 1869, had partially collapsed. Several cracks were visible in the remaining structure, and new buttresses were urgently required to prevent further damage.
Appeals for donations were to be received by Mr. W. Toms of West Wembury, churchwarden, and the Rev. V. Duxbury, vicar.
This moment captures how Wembury parishioners have continually shouldered responsibility for preserving their historic churchyard. From 17th-century consecration to 19th-century buttressing, and now 20th-century repair and expansion, the care of St. Werburgh’s has been a shared duty of landowners, clergy, and villagers alike. Nowadays there is a Parish Giving scheme whereby one can contribute funds on a monthly basis to the parish of Wembury.
đ Source: Western Morning News, 27 April 1926
Entries are summaries and interpretations of historical newspaper reports.