A MUCH-needed extension to the burial ground at Ruardean Church was consecrated by the Bishop of Tewkesbury, Rt Rev Robert Springett.

Space for new graves had almost run out but the extension means that villagers will be able bury loved ones for about the next two decades.

Bishop Robert led a service in St John the Baptist Church attended by parishioners and pupils of Ruardean Church of England Primary School.

Before consecrating the land behind the church, he led a traditional walk around the boundary.

He then performed the consecration, making the mark of the cross in the ground and sprinkling water using a sprig of rosemary – a herb which is associated with remembrance.

Some of the children also sprinkled water over the ground.

Bishop Robert said: “A huge thank you to all those who have brought this project to fruition.

“To those who have been planning for a number of years and those who have traced out the ground and done the measurements and worked their way through the faculty system of the Church of England.

“What we do today is deeply significant for the life of this community.”

The new extension was needed because space in the churchyard for new burials was running out, said Rev Clare Edwards, the Rector of Drybrook, Lydbrook and Ruardean.

“We’ve probably only got space in the churchyard for another three burials.

“The new extension should be sufficient for several hundred and should be enough for 20 years.”

Without the extension, families would have to find alternatives outside the village such as Yew Tree Brake Cemetery in Cinderford.

The church bought the former farmland some 20 years ago but the decision to have it consecrated was made in 2018.

Apart from specialist services such as an archaeological survey, all the work was carried out by volunteers, including levelling the ground.

Native saplings of crab apple, hazel, dogwood and hawthorn, which came from the Woodland Trust, have been planted.

Benches with views over the surrounding countryside and offering space for reflection and remembrance are also being installed.

One corner of the new burial ground is being retained as a wildlife area.