Welcome to the website for the ‘Friends of Bowdon Churchyard’

The churchyard of St Mary’s the Virgin, Bowdon, is spread over 3 acres in the heart of Bowdon Parish,  with graves dating back to the 17th century. The churchyard is a wonderful space and used by many in the community but is sorely in need of rejuvenation.

The Friends of Bowdon Churchyard was formed in order to interface with our local council, to commence fund raising and to engage with the wider community. We are linked to St Mary’s and St Luke’s Bowdon – for more information about Bowdon Parish go to www.bowdonchurch.org

The churchyard is a wonderful source of historical information about Bowdon and the surrounding area, with graves of many of the families that have lived and worked in the area. There are also many significant war graves of those who gave their lives in many different conflicts.

IN MEMORY OF CHRIS

Sunday, 18 September 2026 was a sad but also moving day for FOBCY; a large group of family and friends gathered in the Memorial Garden to say goodbye to lovely Chris Cadman by interring her ashes and praying in a beautiful service led by Rev. Andrew. She was such a cheerful, positive, kind and loyal person and we miss her very much. It is wonderful that Chris’s ashes are now in a place that she loved and where she laboured to create a reverent space for nature. Those of us in FOBCY who are left will be working with the knowledge that Chris’s joyful, courageous and indomitable spirit is always with us. We will try to continue her efforts to make the churchyard a place of beauty, peace and solace, and honour what might well have been her injunction in the poem Rev. Andrew read out:

‘Remember the best times, the laughter, the song,

The good life I lived while I was strong.’

Chris is shown third from the left on the photo of the FOBCY committee in 2023.

KEEPING THE CHURCHYARD TIDY

At various times of the year we tidy up of the more tended parts of the churchyard. It’s hard work, but enjoyable to do it all together with our committee, volunteers and Friends. And cake is often provided – always a winner!
So if you would like to join us in strimming, cutting ivy and saplings, collecting up leaves and cuttings, etc, please do come along with any equipment you have and gloves to protect your hands. We usually work for   a couple of hours on a Sunday.

So watch this space to see when our next community tidy up will be.