The lych gate is the roofed gateway of the churchyard (really part of the church), lyc being the old English word for corpse or body. Thus the words lych gate really mean corpse gate.

In the Middle Ages most people were buried in just shrouds od cloths rather than coffins, the dead being carried to the lych gate and placed on a bier, where the priest conducted the first part of the funeral service under its temporary shelter.

Some of the trees, shrubs and flowers growing in the churchyard have long been thought to have a symbolic meaning. They remind us of things connected with the Christian faith. See the Churchyard images page.

The Yew Trees are very old. The yew is slow-growing and a very long-lived tree, so it has been looked upon as a symbol of immortality and therefore a suitable tree to be planted in the place where people are buried.

The prickly leaves of The Holly remind usr of the crown of thorns which Jesus wore when he was crucified. The red berries are like drops of blood which remind us that Christ's blood was shed for us.

Thus the holly tree has come to be known as a reminder of the Passion of Christ.

The Laurel is another evergreen shrub which has long been thought of as a symbol of victory and distinction with a laurel wreath, a circular wreath made of interlocking branches and leaves, being awarded to winners of ancient games.

They were adopted as a symbol of Christian victory and can remind us of the great victory of Christ over sin and death.

The Daffodil and the Lily remind us of everlasting life. Though the bulbs look dead when they are placed in the ground, new life springs within them and they blossom into beautiful flowers. So our church is decorated with such blooms especially at Easter time.

The Lily of the Valley, with its white blossom is a symbol of purity and humility, and it is often associated with Mary the mother of Jesus.