The Churchyard was once the proud owner of an enormous elm tree that had taken residence amidst the Knapping family graves on the Southern side of the site.This was the most densely populate area of graves. The tree defied gravity, being completely hollow but still growing up above.

This posed a huge problem which Mother Nature solved. Ironically, the tree tumbled the night before major storms in October 2013. The team had been working in the area where the tree fell just hours before. Fortunately the grave of William Haker (1639) and the two listed graves of Peter and Peter Lodvick remained unharmed. However, the Knapping family graves were damaged. It was decided that the tree root should remain in place and relevant permissions will be sought for the repair of the damaged gravestones.

The Team spent an incredibly exhausting weekend landscaping the area and removing the remains of the fallen tree. We will apply for permission to place a plaque upon the remaining tree stump to commemorate its demise. This fits with the history of the Church, since two episodes of trees falling from the same area in the 1930's had threatened the future of the Church.