It may have rained but spirits were not dampened as a new burial ground in Potten End was opened following a 10-year campaign.
With thanks to a generous farmer who donated an acre of land, Potten End now has a new graveyard.
The site at the top end of Pouchen End Lane was consecrated by the Bishop of Hertford, the Right Reverend Christopher Foster, at a ceremony on Monday
(July 7).
Chairwoman of the parish council, Anna Barnard, said it was a wonderful day despite the poor weather conditions.
"I hope in the future our burial ground will provide a quiet and beautiful resting place for our loved ones, an oasis in this busy world for reflection of memories."
Cllr Barnard also expressed thanks to the land donor Peter Groom for his 'incredible generosity'.
Nettleden and Potten End Parish Council's hunt for a plot began when space at St Lawrence Church in Nettleden ran out.
Also at maximum capacity was Holy Trinity churchyard in Potten End which was closed by an Order of the Privy Council in 2000.
As the council exhaustively scoured the area to find somewhere new, in 2001 villager Mr Groom, whose father, John Groom, was the well known village baker and church warden, offered part of his Greencroft Farm.
The new burial ground cost in the region of £25,000.
Of that £10,000 was given as a 10-year interest free loan from Dacorum Borough Council and the rest was paid for using the parish council's cash reserves.
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