In determining a petition for, among other things, the levelling of part of a churchyard and the relocation of seven monuments in order to create open space for use by the local community, the chancellor held that the relocation of a monument should only be permitted if there were a good reason which not only made such relocation desirable but also outweighed the disadvantages inherent in removing a monument from the place of interment. In so doing, the chancellor cited with approval advice contained in The Churchyards Handbook that ‘Monuments should be moved only when it is necessary … not only because of the expense, resentment, and worry that can be provoked but also because their full meaning can only be understood in their original context.’ The chancellor found that the nature of the proposed activity in the area of the churchyard in question – an area to which members of the public can resort for relaxation, refreshment and reflection – would be consistent with its status as consecrated ground and as a fitting resting place for the remains of local people. Meeting the needs of the local community in this way was an important part of the mission of the church. There was therefore a good reason for the proposal, and the benefits of what was proposed justified the serious step of moving the monuments. A faculty was granted. [Alexander McGregor]