Averil Fermer receives award for 25 years dedicated work at St Swithin's

The following article was featured in the IOW County Press on 4th October 2012

One of many unsung heroes who quietly go about their business maintaining the character of the Island's villages, Averil Fermer, was rewarded for her dedication to keeping a West Wight churchyard looking its best.

The 76 year old, of Main Road, Thorley, lives just a stone's throw away from the parish church of St Swithin's. Ever since she moved with her late husband to the village, from Buckinghamshire, in 1987, she has been instrumental in making sure the peaceful and pretty churchyard is well maintained all year round by cutting grass, pruning, raking, planting, planting and taking care of its flowers.

A member of the IW Cemetery Warden Scheme, Averil has also ensured the graveyard is a thriving habitat for wild flowers and wildlife. It is common to see the green-winged orchid, a rare sight in most other cemeteries, and, at other times of the year, the churchyard is awash with daffodils, ox-eye daisies, bulbous buttercups, dog rose, primroses and bluebells. Ann Langley, chairman of the awards committee, commended Averil on the dedication she has shown to maintaining the cemetery for almost 25 years. She was presented with a special award by Diane Andrews, director of The Old Smithy, Godshill, last Thursday evening.

Delighted with her award, Averil said: 'When I heard I'd got the award, I couldn't believe it. We fell in love with Thorley, which is why we moved here. I have a passion for what I do - I've always been fascinated by churchyards. Thorley's lovely old churchyard is one of the nicest and most interesting places for flowers on the Island'.

                                                       Two delightful pictures of Averil at work in St Swithin's Churchyard