Lancaster District Heritage Group will commence an important survey of the gravestones and monuments in St Peter’s Church, Heysham graveyard later this year, a project supported by Lancaster Civic Vision.

St Peter’s Church, Heysham – photo by Ian Greene

St Peter’s Church in Heysham dates from the Saxon period, the 8th century, but the original church was probably Celtic (6th century). The church is right beside the sea with views across Morecambe Bay to the mountains of Cumbria and contains many important artefacts including the world-famous ‘Hog Back Stone’, a Viking gravestone.

Some of the artefacts in the Churchyard are now under threat from climate change, making documentation vital.

To support this important initiative, Lancaster Civic Vision have purchased a Canon EOS 250D camera for use by the group, thus guaranteeing images are of the highest quality, which will be presented to them at a date in the near future, and in addition have provided LDHG with a letter of support to be used in any application for further financial assistance.

It’s hoped that this project can be replicated at other important sites around the Lancaster and Morecambe District in future.

In early 2020, the Lancaster District Heritage Group was in conversation with St Peter’s Church about carrying out a survey of the gravestones and monuments in the Churchyard, focussed on climate change and its effect on the church and gravestones and monuments. This conversation had been ongoing for some time between the Church and the Lancaster City Council Conservation Officer.

As a result of this discussion it was agreed, and approved by the Conservation Officer, that LDHG commence a survey to carry out a condition survey of the gravestones and monuments in the Churchyard.

Members of LDHG on a visit to St Peters Heysham last week. Photo via LDHG

The vital survey will also establish a baseline from which future condition surveys can be carried out in order to identify any further deterioration in the surveyed structures and monuments, and provide training opportunities for members of LDHG and local community volunteers.

The project team will measure, record and photograph the stones and monuments, aiming to identify areas and structures that are under threat so that the threat can be identified and, where possible, remedial action might be taken.

Photogrammetric recording of some gravestones and monuments will be carried out, and a large number of high quality photographs for each gravestone and monument, at every angle and position, need to be taken which can then be processed through a computer program to produce a 3D image, thus giving a comprehensive visual display of its condition at the time.

Photo via LDHG

These recordings and the accompanying report will then be sent to, as well as St Peter’s Church, Lancaster City Council Conservation Team, Lancashire County Council Historic Environment Team (for the Lancashire Historic Environment record – digital copy of report), Lancashire Archive, Historic England and The National Trust.

LDHG are supported in this project by Lancaster City Council, Historic England and the National Trust and Lancaster Civic Vision felt that this successfully carried out this project could perhaps then be

Lancaster and District Heritage are holding one of their regular meetings tonight at 7.00pm, tonight, Tuesday 7th June 2022, at The George & Dragon on St. George’s Quay, Lancaster | For anyone unable to attend in person, the meeting will be streamed live via Zoom link details on Facebook event page)

• Looking for something new in 2022? Lancaster District Heritage Group are looking for new members to them in some of their projects, including the St.Peter’s Church investigation. No skills needed – just a desire to take part and have fun at their lively meetings at The George & Dragon on St. George’s Quay, Lancaster. You must be over 18 years old but that is the only restriction.

More information can be obtained by visiting the Facebook page for Lancaster and District Heritage Group | Web: lancasterheritage.org.uk

Lancaster Civic Vision: www.lancastercivicsociety.uk

For over fifty years, since its inception in 1967, the Lancaster Civic Society – now known as Lancaster Civic Vision – has overseen the preservation of the heritage of the Lancaster and Morecambe district, and its outstanding natural beauty, whilst assisting in its future development