Old Church & Graveyard - The Ethel Haywood Memorial Trust

S.Andrew's Old Churchyard is a three and a half acre (approximately) conservation area. It is the responsibility of the Parochial Church Council of Parish of Kingsbury, S.Andrew. It had become severely overgrown during the last three decades. About ten years ago a Trust was set up called THE ETHEL HAYWOOD MEMORIAL TRUST. (named after a lady buried in the Churchyard who was the mother of the benefactor who set up the trust). This trust now has about £25,000 in capital. Under the terms of the Trust 90% of the Income can be used for the maintenance of the Churchyard and nothing else. The other 10% has to be added to the capital which cannot be touched.

In the last few years the Trust has been able to afford two working days per month for nine months of each year. When this began almost every path was impenetrable with up to nine feet of brambles. Under the guidance of the Brent Ranger, these paths have been laboriously reclaimed foot by foot and, have been mowed and turned to grass. All work in maintaining the Churchyard has to be within the limits of its being a Conservation Area. We are proud of the achievement of recent years but at the same time understand the reactions of those who see it for the first time if they assume that this is as bad as it could get. It has certainly been much worse.

A sad economic fact is that global economics affect everyone including church trusts. Falling interest rates have resulted in reduced income. Even though capital has increased we can still only afford two sessions a month. We all hope that interest rates will rise so that more could be done.

Unfortunately, the bottom line is always money. If the Trust Fund grows it will be possible to employ groundsmen for more time and the Churchyard will improve faster. If the future of the Churchyard is to be secured the Fund will have to grow a great deal more and so we are asking people who have graves to consider making a bequest or donation to the Trust. A donation to the Trust cannot be for an individual grave but for the improvement of the whole Churchyard.

If you would like to make a donation cheques should be made payable to THE ETHEL HAYWOOD MEMORIAL TRUST. Bequests can be made in the same name and solicitors given the following address: S.Andrew's Vicarage, 28, Old Church Lane, Kingsbury. London NW9 8RZ.

Searching for individual graves

In the early 1990's the Middlesex History Society examined the maps and records of the graveyard and declared that they were so muddled that they were useless. They undertook the mammoth task of recording every gravestone. They then produced a detailed cross-referenced record of what survived at that time. It was a task that took many years and great dedication and the PCC is extremely grateful to those who did it.

The resulting survey are the only records that are of any use and we can only trace graves that had a surviving gravestone in 1994. If you wish to trace a grave you should apply in writing (or e m@il) with as much detail as you have. Searches are done in batches and rapid response cannot be expected.

It is hoped that those asking for searches will appreciate that it takes quite a lot of time and will make some contribution to the Trust.