Dunham on Trent St Oswald

Churchyard

The north side of the
churchyard from the tower
The south side of the
churchyard from the tower

The churchyard is approximately rectangular in shape but with curving east and west boundaries. It is quite large, measuring 0.65 ha in extent, with the church positioned towards the northern end. There are burials on all sides, the earliest, from the 18th century, are to the south.

The boundaries comprise: to the north a paling fence and access path through a stone gateway, to the east a hedge and mature trees, to the south part wall and part brick building (adjacent house), and to the west a mix of mature trees, hedges, walls, and fencing, with an access path through another stone gateway.

The following are separately listed.

West Entrance Gate

Gateway to church-yard of Church of St. Oswald, 24 metres west of the tower. Grade II

Gateway. 12 metres west of the Church tower. Mid-19th century. Built of ashlar and iron. There is a central small double iron gate flanked by single engaged columns with possible 14th century foliate decorated capitals which support an ashlar overthrow with hood mould and central cross.

Extending for one and a half metres and sloping down from the columns are single ashlar walls which are set on plinths

North Entrance Gate

Gateway to church-yard of Church of St. Oswald, 12m north of the tower. Grade II

Gateway. 12 metres north of the church tower. Mid-19th century. Built of ashlar and iron. The central small iron gate flanked by single engaged columns with moulded capitals which support an ashlar overthrow with hood mould and central cross. The columns are attached to single small sloping ashlar walls.

Headstones

Group of 3 head-stones in the churchyard of Church of St. Oswald, 18m south of the chancel. Grade II

These gravestones are situated 18 metres south of the chancel. Dated 1729, 1738 and 1731. Made from ashlar.

Arched, rectangular headstone inscribed:

Here lieth the body of
Mary Boswell
who departed this life
March 7 1729
aged 60 years

To the right is a decorative arched rectangular headstone with decorative incised lines under the arch and inscribed:

Here lieth the body of
Robert the son of John and Mary Wills
who departed this life
February the 19 1738
aged 10 years

2 metres to the right is the third arched rectangular headstone with inscription:

Here lieth the body of
Mary the wife of John Bacon
who departed this life M.... 2.
In the year of our Lord 1731