AN IDYLIC churchyard most often seen in a rural village has won an award for being one of the capital's so-called Green Corners.
The grounds of All Saints Church in Uxbridge Road, Harrow Weald, have been honoured for their biodiversity in the Sacred Spaces category in the June round of the awards, run by the Conservation Foundation.
Churchgoers have preserved a remnant of Middlesex meadow land boasting wild flowers, lime trees bordering the long path from the lych-gate, an avenue of horse chestnut trees and an ancient yew tree.
In their citation, the judges described the grounds as "bearing more resemblance to a churchyard in the heart of the country than one in London" and the site will go forward to the Green Corners grand final next year.
One of its most interesting features is the memorial of Edmund Crosse, the co-owner of the Crosse and Blackwell food company best known for its pickle.
The 7ft 10in-high Grade II* Listed carved stone shrine, which was restored at the end of 2008, sits near the family grave of his compatriot Thomas Blackwell, adjacent to the north-east corner of the church.
The vicar, Reverend James Mercer, said: "All Saints' is delighted to be nominated a June winner of the London's Green Corners 'Sacred Spaces' award.
"Managing our churchyard for biodiversity has been a long term project and it's great for the small, but dedicated team that manage the site to gain this well deserved recognition for their hard work."
Brian Cuthbertson, head of environmental challenge for the Diocese of London, said: "All Saints Harrow Weald is one of our most active 'green' churches and congregations. "They are caring for wild nature, at the same time as playing their part in the diocese's contribution to tackling climate change.
"These things compliment each other; they are both essential to caring for this beautiful world God placed us in – part of his mandate to all of us."
