THE NEW Bishop of Huntingdon consecrated Croydon s new extended churchyard at the weekend. The Right Rev David Thompson carried out a consecration ceremony at the churchyard, which is situated next All Saints Church in Croydon, last Saturday. It was his f

THE NEW Bishop of Huntingdon consecrated Croydon's new extended churchyard at the weekend.

The Right Rev David Thompson carried out a consecration ceremony at the churchyard, which is situated next All Saints Church in Croydon, last Saturday. It was his first official function since being appointed.

Malcolm Ralph, who is one of the churchwardens at All Saints, said: "It was first noted that the churchyard was becoming full back in the 1950s, so this extension has been more than 50 years in coming.

"The project is the result of a high degree of cooperation between the parochial church council, the Church Commissioners and the parish council.

"It's a great example of everyone pulling together."

The cost of extending the church yard is estimated to be several thousand pounds, and has mainly been funded by the parish council.

Mr Ralph added: "It's a sizeable amount for a village of just over 200 people to raise."

After the ceremony the congregation gathered for tea in the reading room.

"The consensus was that we had built something which could still be in use in 1000 years' time, and will be part of the history of the village," said Mr Ralph.