On Sunday 21st June at the end of the 9.30 am Parish Eucharist, additional burial ground was Consecrated in the extension to the churchyard here at St Mary’s. The Act of Consecration was led by Bishop Robin Smith, in the presence of the Diocesan Registrar, Mr David Cheetham, and The Rt Worshipful Mayor St Albans City and District, Councillor Chris Oxley. The ground was purchased on behalf of the church by St Albans District Council who is responsible for the provision of public burial space with the kind assistance and agreement of Mr and Mrs George Blair, who owned and farmed the land. The half acre space will ensure that the people of Redbourn continue to have somewhere in the village to bury their loved ones as the existing churchyard is now full.
The ceremony involves circling the entire plot whilst Psalm 91 is said by the Bishop and people. The Sentence of Consecration is then read out and signed, setting aside the land from all ‘profane or common uses’. The Consecration marked the end of several years of legal negotiation and correspondence and the Vicar and people would like to record their thanks to Mr and Mrs Blair, St Albans District Council, Redbourn Parish Council and many villagers for their support and generous assistance in terms of time and money to bring this to fruition.
