St Andrew's Churchyard
The Hearse House situated on the south-east corner of the churchyard adjacent to Church House was used to house the horse-drawn hearse, a horse being supplied when needed by the coal company or a local farmer. It had two doors, one for access of the hearse from Towne Gate, and one north to the churchyard. The hearse was dismantled around 1933 with the advent of the motor car, when no buyer could be found. This public service was managed by a committee who in 1953, handed over the premises after many years of disuse, to the care of the vicar and churchwardens of St Andrew's Church, along with the right of way to the churchyard. It was used to store grave digging tools and grass cutters for the churchyard, with the south part let as a garage. The small Hearse House has now been converted to provide detached accommodation standing in the grounds of Church House.
Owing to the diminishing number of grave spaces left in the old churchyard, a plan was put into operation to clear and level part of the lower church banks on the north side. This accomplished, a survey showed that approximately 319 grave spaces would be available.
The ceremony of consecration was performed by the Lord Bishop of Newcastle, Dr Bilbrough.
The first burial was that of Mrs Hannah Scott, widow of Charles Scott of West Mickley, natives of Heddon, on 9th March 1959.
The ceremony of consecration was performed by the Lord Bishop of Newcastle, Dr Bilbrough.
The first burial was that of Mrs Hannah Scott, widow of Charles Scott of West Mickley, natives of Heddon, on 9th March 1959.
There are some photos from the graveyard below. There are many more on the monuments of church & graveyard page.
