A GRAPPENHALL couple, who have been married for 46 years, have failed in a bid to ensure they can spend eternity in the same grave together in the church yard they love.

A top Church of England judge sympathised with the wishes of John Boardman, aged 70, and his wife Annette, aged 69, to reserve grave space in the church yard of St Wilfrids, Grappenhall but said no to their plea.

Judge David Turner QC said for such a request to be granted there had to be exceptional circumstances to justify over-riding church policies against reserving grave space.

He added: “I have much sympathy for Mr and Mrs Boardman's request. I know my decision will come as a considerable disappointment to them. I hope they may understand and accept it.”

He said he had 'anxiously struggled' to find sufficient 'out of the ordinary' elements necessary to enable him to 'over-ride' the considered views of the elected body and officers charged with the churchyard's longer term future.

The court heard there was an average of five burials a year at the church yard and on that basis the Rector estimated that, with sufficient land for 120 new burials, space would not run out for around 25 years.

However Mr Boardman questioned this after a recent visit to the church yard and thought that land may run out within ten years.

Mr and Mrs Boardman had lived their entire married life in the parish and told the court they regarded the church as 'central to our village and our lives.'

Their home overlooks the church yard, their daughters and two of their grandchildren were baptized at the church, one daughter was married there, Mrs Boardman’s father was buried there along with other local friends and neighbours and they spoke 'candidly of being really desperate to ensure their last resting place'.

The judge added while Mr and Mrs Boardman’s request had been 'reasonable' the church authorities were worried that if it was allowed it would set a precedent and other requests to reserve space would follow.

As a crumb of comfort for Mr and Mrs Boardman though he said he felt confident there would remain sufficient grave spaces in the church yard 'when their time comes'.