Rectory and Graveyard

At about the same time the Rectory, next door to the Church, was demolished and rebuilt because it too was unsafe. There are springs, soft clay and fuller’s earth to be found in parts of Amberley which have caused problems over the years. The graveyard was originally on the grassy slope above the Church, but, soon after it was established, this slipped, in a mighty rush of water it is said, while the sexton was at his task. A new graveyard was created on the lower side of the Church, across the road.

This has many lovely trees and is believed to have been set out by someone from Westonbirt Arboretum. The grave of PC Wren, author of Beau Geste, is on the right going down below the Garden of Rest. Major General Sir Fabian Ware’s memorial is at the far end of the graveyard and is in the style of the graves in Europe and elsewhere looked after by the War Graves Commission, the establishment of which was Sir Fabian’s great achievement. Photographs of all the gravestones in the Amberley and Littleworth graveyards have been taken, indexes made and, where possible, information about all these people recorded.