All Saints Church
Old Heathfield, East Sussex
The Churchyard
The Churchyard has a number of interesting features. These include one example of the famous Harmer memorial plaques.
The Harmers were a famous local family of Stonemasons. One Jonathan Harmer (1800 - 1841) emigrated to America for four years, and on his return he became famous for his fine terracotta bas reliefs which can be seen on graves and church walls in the area. The plaques were made using local clay found in Heathfield Park. Harmer perfected the art of attaching pottery to stone by creating a recess into which the pottery plaques were recessed. The plaques are to be found in a range of colours on the cream to red spectrum, and are to be found with a range of designs including cherubs, vases and baskets of fruit. In All Saints churchyard the Harmer terracotta decorated gravestone lies behind trees facing west. It is best viewed from the road.
Other examples of Harmer plaques are to be found at Ashburnham (4), Brightling (1), Burwash (4), Cade Street (6), Chiddingly(1), East Hoathly(2 ), Glynde(1), Hailsham (1), Hellingly (3), Herstmonceux (8), Salehurst (5), Wadhurst (1), Waldron (2), and Warbleton (2). photos of the plaques.In Kent there is a plaque at Brookland and two at Lamberhurst.
Another family member, Michael Harmer, built the wall around Heathfield Park between 1833 - 36.