After more than four decades, the churchyard of All Saints Church in Longhope has once again echoed with the sounds of laughter, chatter, and the hum of gardening tools. Inspired by a black-and-white photo tucked away in vestry, creating a village memory, a new generation of volunteers has stepped forward to restore and revive this precious historic space.

The recent work party marked the beginning of a four-session community project to reclaim and care for the churchyard. It was a powerful reminder of how much can be achieved when people come together with a shared purpose.

In just one afternoon, volunteers removed 12 builder’s bags of green waste. Ivy was carefully pulled from the church's stone walls, weeds and brambles were cleared from gravestones, and an old path began to emerge once more. The School Lane corner was opened up, and bushes and trees were trimmed back — all while taking care not to disturb local wildlife, including nesting birds and slowworms.

Tina Coull, who helped organise the event, reflected on the day: "There was such a fantastic atmosphere — people dropped in for half an hour or stayed all afternoon, and every pair of hands made a difference. We didn't manage to capture everyone on camera, but the sense of achievement and community was clear."

The 1983 team — proudly shown in the photograph — was honoured that year with The Little Badminton Plate, awarded for the best-kept churchyard in the Gloucester Archdeaconry. Though decades have passed, the same spirit of care and commitment is once again taking root.

As future sessions approach, Tina and the team encourage more local residents to join in — no matter their age or ability. Even half an hour of help makes a difference.

"You don’t need to be an expert gardener," Tina adds. "Just come along, bring gloves, and be part of something good. And yes — there might be hotdogs and cider, too!"