Bredhurst Community Bereavement Forum group was formed following the unlawful removal of items from the graves of loved ones interred in the new burial ground (c1949) at St Peters Church in Bredhurst in February 2017. The removal of items was completed by the Church Warden and volunteers without the authority of a ‘faculty’ (the legal process that must be followed to remove items from graves, which is granted by the Diocese of Rochester). The removal of these treasured mementos from graves caused a great deal of upset for loved ones that tended the graves and even included the removal of toys and items from the graves of babies and children. This was done despite a notice in the church stating that children’s graves would be left untouched. Most of these precious items were placed at the rear of the graveyard in one untidy ‘heap’ for collection by families, but some were never found and there was even evidence that some items were put on a bonfire, indicating that there had been little care or compassion in the process.

Following the removal, a small group of mourners held a meeting with representatives of the church and Parish of South Gillingham (PCC) and Diocese of Rochester. Sadly, despite trying to put across the views of many they had spoken to, they were met with little understanding.