VOLUNTEERS have spent more than a year examining the history of the churchyard of St Mary’s Church, Carleton, and are now holding an open day, on Saturday, October 3 (9am to 4pm)

Visitors will experience a focus of parish life and death covering 1,000 years. A one way route, with social distancing in place, will follow paths from the lychgate to the north side of the church, looking at the graves of village families throughout the centuries.

There will be a chance to examine the headstones and learn of the stories they tell, and read some of the files the Old Church Yard project has put together for the village archives.

Visitors will be invited to enjoy the far reaching views, identify trees, bring their own stories and relax with refreshments. An information sheet will be available.