We are a country church in Old Sodbury, South Gloucestershire and we are launching an appeal to repair our Grade ll listed War Memorial Lychgate at the entrance to our churchyard, which has suffered serious damage from decay and deathwatch beetle.

The Lychgate is a focal point of our Remembrance Day service and reminds all visitors who walk through the Lychgate of the villagers who gave their lives in two World Wars.

We are currently obtaining reports and the permission we need for the restoration work. As well as raising the funds we need to cover the costs.

The churchyard contains the grave of David Hartley MP, who signed the Treaty of Paris which ended the US War of Independence.

Although the USA is celebrating its 250th Birthday, the American War of Independence continued for another 7 years until 1783, when the diplomat David Hartley was commissioned by King George lll to finalise a peace treaty. Hartley's friend Benjamin Franklin, finally agreed terms and signed the Treaty in Paris, ending the war and making way for Britain to acknowledge American Independence.

The Rev'd Chris Butler, Rector of St John the Baptist Church Old Sodbury said ' The Lychgate which is also the village War Memorial was erected in 1920 and we are determined to preserve it for future generations, a costly task that isn't easy for rural congregations.'

David Hartley is buried in his family grave in the churchyard. The popular Cotswold Way national footpath winds through the churchyard, revealing spectacular views across the River Severn to the Black Mountains in Wales and William Tyndale's Monument in the north.

A memorial to the remarkable David Hartley is set in an inner wall of the 900 year old church.

All donations to our appeal are gratefully appreciated.