The view to the left on first entering the churchyard through the gates from the small car park in front of the Village Hall. This area is still mown and kept generally clear of brambles.

A little further along, looking NE down the main aisle.

Back towards the Village Hall, and the main gate just under that tree.

The eastern side has many of the oldest graves, and also has the most mature shrubs and trees. THIS VIEW HAS GONE NOW, TOTALLY OVERGROWN

The eastern wall, where many of the memorial plaques are situated. THIS AREA IS VERY OVERGROWN, THOUGH ACCESS TO ALL WARGRAVES, THE MEMORIAL WALL & PLAQUES IS STILL MAINTAINED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE

Back towards the church, just visible, up the main aisle. THE CHURCH IS NOW RARELY VISIBLE THROUGH THE TREES, EXCEPT PERHAPS IN WINTER.

From right down in the bottom corner, the village hall side to the right. The back wall to the war memorial garden is just visible.

A peaceful afternoon scene, from the mature side, with the memorial wall to the left and back of us. THIS VIEW OVERGROWN NOW, CHURCH NOT VISIBLE FROM HERE

And the final scene is one taken during the most spectacular and beautiful spring I can ever remember (2011), and this after the very worst winter in living memory (2010). Must be some connection there .. what survives comes through stronger .. so what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and all that. OH, IT CAME STRONGER ALRIGHT! WE'VE HAD SOME WORSE WEATHER SINCE THEN.  THE WINTER OF 2020/21 WAS VERY WET AND CAUSED MORE BRAMBLE  GROWTH THAN SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE IT.  ADDITIONALLY, COVID RESTRICTIONS AND NEW CONSERVATION AREA LAWS REDUCED WHAT COULD BE DONE, AND WHO COULD DO THEM. Bear this in mind before sending critical emails to the church.  If you have energy to spare, and feel so strongly about it, critical folks could always expend their excess energy by volunteering with a pair of secateurs. We advise wearing gloves and tough trousers.  Bring tea/coffee! This notice has been placed by the museum, not the churchyard staff, who are far too pleasant and polite to say all this, and would never 'offend' anyone, but we feel we should defend them. If someone slaps me in the face, they get one back. Simples!  Old English Etiquette .. learn your manners.

I hope you have enjoyed this brief look at our lovely churchyard, where Sutton folk have been laid to rest since antiquity. There were burials here on this gentle hill top long, long before our first recorded graves. Perhaps even before the Romans came ... ... If you'd like to see another selection of photos in and around St James' Church, their website now has a Photo Gallery page on which there are a good selection of photos of the church

There is a list of local books and items for sale, including our own Sutton DVD, on our Publications Page

There is a full list of all the names on this War Memorial
on the War Memorial button here below