Jenny Marquand, Helen Godfrey and Roger Baudains have planted bulbs, including daffodil and crocus, which are already in full bloom this spring, and they are now looking to add floral colour to the previously barren area in front of the eastern wall in the form of more daffodils and allium.
Over on the southern side of the cemetery there is a monument to those whose graves fell into neighbouring Longue Hougue quarry in 1969, as well as a strawberry tree which Mrs Marquand believed was planted soon after as a commemoration, alongside two rose bushes.
The volunteers have added three weeping cherry trees to further enhance this grassy area, with one more to follow once a nearby tree has been lopped back.
Mrs Marquand said the work is partly being done as members of the parish floral group but also of the cemetery committee and the trio meet at least once a week, frequently more often, to see what needs to be done.
‘We get together and sort out what we’re going to plant – what would look good, dependent on the time of the year, just to bring some colour.’
But they do not work on the graves themselves, and major work is being planned to have a lot of wild overgrowth removed.
The parish is currently in a three-month consultation period to hear what people think of the idea, particularly those who might have family members buried there. The cemetery’s pathways and the grass are tended by Paulo’s Garden Services, the parish’s contractors.
Mr Baudains is a relative newcomer to the cemetery group, with Mrs Marquand the longest-serving after helping form the floral group about six years ago.
Mrs Godfrey said she became involved almost by accident.
‘I popped into the douzaine to pick up recycling bags and asked if anyone wanted some floral arrangements for the church, and here I am.
‘It’s nice to work as part of a team. It’s nice to be sociable – that’s what I like about it.’