For hundreds of years, the graveyard at St. Andrew’s Church in Aycliffe Village has been a peaceful final resting place for local residents. But following two years of Covid restrictions, and a number of severe weather events, the parish is concerned that some of the graves are now falling into disrepair.
Rev Canon Ann Anderson said: “We now have some very real health and safety concerns over a number of headstones which have begun to tilt and could possibly cause someone an injury if they fall. We are, therefore, inviting any residents who have a family burial plot at St. Andrew’s to pay a visit, inspect the masonry and take action, if necessary”.
While St. Andrew’s endeavours to keep the churchyard in good order, it is the family’s responsibility to maintain their loved one’s plot and arrange for repairs. In the event of families not coming forward, headstones may need to be laid flat if they are a toppling hazard.
There are, in fact, several ancient graves at St. Andrew’s. Inside the church is what is believed to be the Priest grave cover of Johannes de Horton, the Rector at Great Stainton, who died in 1320.
A member of the local Amundeville family is in the North West corner of the church, close to the effigy of a knight dressed in chainmail. The knight was probably Sir Thomas de Amundeville de Whitton, Seneschal to Bishop Stickell and Lord of Woodham and Whitworth, who died c1305.
A 14th century grave cover commemorating the local blacksmith and his wife, is in the south west corner of the chancel. Unfortunately, it was trimmed to make it fit its present location during the church’s restoration. There is also the Hodgson Chest tomb to the left of the main door, and another for John Gibson by the path to the door. Both are Grade II listed.
A church has been on the site for over 1200 years and the synod at ‘Aclea’ was mentioned in the Anglo Saxon Chronicles.
St. Andrew’s was originally dedicated to St. Acca, chaplain to St. Wilfred and a close friend of the Venerable Bede, and who became Bishop of Hexham in 709. After his death in 740, a church dedicated to St. Acca was built and the dedication transferred to the present church when it was built in the 10th century.
For more information, contact Rev Canon Ann Anderson on 01325 315194 or email: a.ann007@btinternet.com