WORKING the graveyard shift is a labour of love for three conservation volunteers.

The retired pals - dubbed the R.I.P. Group for their Restoration, Improvement and Preservation mission - are rescuing the old St Mary's Burial Ground, Altham, from years of neglect. Their fight began three years ago.

Ian Leaver, 58, Jack Evans, 70, and Harry Hurst, 71, are all parishioners of St Mary's RC Church, in Devonshire Drive, Clayton-le-Moors. The old church at Altham was demolished in the late fifties.

Mr Leaver is chairman of Clayton Civic Society, and Mr Evans has a special interest as his grandparents, aunts and uncles are buried there.

The biggest challenge has been to clear, and keep at bay, the Japanese knotweed which was swallowing up the burial ground.

The vanished pathways have been restored consuming 160 tons of stone chippings donated by Park Royal quarry, Whinney Hill, and a new circular entrance with stone seating has been built. The trio, helped by their families and other volunteers, are now working on the restoration of individual graves which have been ravaged by time, neglect and in some cases vandalism.

Their long-term aim is to landscape and turf the burial ground making for easy mowing maintenance, and to introduce patches of wild flowers.

They are also trying to piece together historical information about the graves.

While burials continued at Altham until 1974, the earliest recorded burial in the old part of the site dates from1837.

Some of the graves belong to the Petre family, of the Dunkenhalgh, and others the Trappes-Lomax family of Clayton Hall and their servants.

The project, backed by Hyndburn Council, Groundwork East Lancashire and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, has the support of parish priest Father Joe Feeley.

An outdoor Mass at the burial ground is now an annual date on the calendar, this year on Sunday June 15 at 3pm.

Anyone who can help with information about any of the graves, can donate topsoil or turf, or would like to lend a hand with the project, can contact Fr Feeley on 01254 232348.

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