Churchyard Nature Note with Andrew Tompsett
October 2011
A special memorial place for heroes
I expect we all have our favourite places; North Cliffs, Hell’s Mouth or Trencrom, all of which are special. However, for a spot
nearer home, arousing special thoughts, consider the war graves in our churchyard.
This immaculately managed plot, cut off from the busy world, surrounded by trees, birdlife and nature in all its luxuriance, is something we should be very proud of both for its beauty and the memory, which it commemorates, of the 50 airmen lost in
World War II.
At the recent Battle of Britain memorial service, held this year at St. Mary’s and the Air Station, we were reminded of how these airmen were assigned the job of piloting gliders from Portreath to Morocco in preparation for the Allied landings on Sicily. Towed
by Lancaster bombers, they were very vulnerable to attack as they flew over the Bay of Biscay.
Our war graves are maintained by staff of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission who tend hundreds of sites throughout Europe and beyond. There are 40 sites in Southwest England, including the Channel Isles and Isles of Scilly.
You may have seen the gardeners here on their regular visits to keep the borders and flowers neatly trimmed. I recently met head gardener Mike Austin. He told me that ours is the only site in England protected by a Pittosporum hedge and very fine it looks too! He also told me that the brilliant red rose is called ‘Trumpeter’, which answers a question I have been asked many times but to which I could not supply the answer! Incidentally, they are sprayed monthly to prevent Black Spot, that scourge of Cornish roses.
There are six First World War graves scattered in the churchyard, which the Commission also trim. Of course, the job is difficult
on account of the mass of vegetation which is present. For this reason I appeal to anyone who could help us with some trimming
to come along on our next date, which will be Saturday 29th October at 10.00am. Do try and come.