Evidence of horse-riding in a historic Shenley graveyard prompted parish councillors to call for a project to enhance the appearance of the site last week.

Shenley Parish Council members heard that hoof-prints had been discovered in St Botolph's Churchyard, in Shenleybury, at a meeting last Wednesday.

The council agreed to pay for extra fencing to be erected on the boundary of the churchyard, but also suggested action to make it more presentable.

Discussions will soon take place between church and council representatives over the possibility of the borough council handling the maintenance of the graveyard.

Malcolm Williamson, clerk of the parish council, said hoof-prints had been noticed in the past, but it was previously thought that the riders had gone in by mistake.

"It is obvious to any rider that they are entering consecrated ground these people are riding through the graveyard and out of the main entrance," he said.

Barbed wire will be erected at the boundary of the churchyard, which is at least 300 years old and contains the grave of the world champion racing driver Graham Hill.

Dr Phil Wadey, the British Horse Society's local access officer, said: "We encourage all riders to stick to lawful routes it is inappropriate to go riding through graveyards."

At the parish council meeting, concerns were expressed about the appearance of the graveyard, which is currently the responsibility of St Martin's Church.

The church receives a small grant from the borough council to pay for the grass to be mown, but it does not have cash to spend on improvement works.

Councillor Tim Gilligan said: "Perhaps this should be a local authority responsibility, because, otherwise, things are only going to get worse down there."

John Spencer, one of two churchwardens at St Martin's, supported an idea of altering the graveyard's narrow entrance so that coffins could be carried through it.

He hoped talks between St Martin's, the two councils and Shenley's other churches would result in a plan to enhance the ecumenical graveyard.

The churchyard is also the resting place of Sir Nicholas Hawksmoor, an 18th Century architect who worked alongside Sir Christopher Wren on Westminster Abbey.

October 17, 2001 11:06

By MARK FOY