PRESS RELEASE

Southam Town Council and St James Parish Church

The Town Churchyard at St James Church

Most residents of Southam will, by now, be aware that the Town Churchyard at St James is rapidly running out of space for new burial plots and there are currently only four remaining. However, we wish to make it clear, that second burials in existing family graves can continue where there is space available and cremated ashes can also be placed in family graves as well as the reserved cremation area.

Stratford District Council was formally requested by St James Parochial Church Council to become a burial authority in May 2009 and to provide a municipal cemetery at Southam. This request was finally declined at the end of 2012. The situation so far as Southam Town Council is concerned is that it is not a burial authority, and to become one would incur considerable expense.

Coventry Diocese has been consulted but, although they will give what help they can, they will not develop a new burial ground.

Southam Town Council will discuss the matter at their meeting on 28^th February 2013 in order to decide if it wishes to continue to try to find a solution to the matter. If it is resolved to take the matter forward the next step would probably be to hold a meeting at which the public could express their views.

This statement has been jointly agreed between the Town Council and St James Parochial Church Council. February 2013.