Churchyard overspill

Whilst wandering around our Churchyard, as you do, I spotted these gravestones at the West end of the grounds, leaned up against the barn which belongs to the Manor behind it.

There was a stone Church here at the Domesday Survey of 1086. St Andrew's Parish Church, Rippingale was reportedly founded in 1250. The first part of the current building dates from c1300. There have been a number of additions to the building, in c1350 and the mid 15th and 16th centuries. It was restored in 1860.

It was quite dull at this end of the churchyard although the sun was shining and you can see a shaft of sunlight across the grass. I got to wondering about those gravestones and about how long they have been in the Churchyard., and the families ...

An extension to the churchyard at the western end of the village was opened in 1900 and is still in use today.