Included in our round-up of the ecclesiastical judgments published in August was a brief summary of Re St John the Baptist Adel and St Michael Markington [2016] ECC Lee 8; in this  Worshipful Mark Hill, QC, granted two linked petitions which sought  permission for the introduction of “bespoke” churchyard regulation for the churches concerned. The petitions were relatively straightforward: that of St John the Baptist, Adel seeking to limit the approved material for memorials solely to York sandstone [15 to 18]; and at St Michael Markington, to legitimise the continued use of the garden of remembrance until the remaining spaces have been filled [19 to 21]. Importantly, however, the judgment included an explanation of the introduction of a single set of standard churchyard regulations for the Diocese of Leeds [“the Leeds Regulations”] and how local variations may be accommodated within the new scheme. Continue reading →