The community is being invited to add a stone to a cairn being built throughout Lent up until Easter.

Rev Elsie Bouffler, Curate of St Mary’s Church, said the ancient tradition of the cairn was about remembering someone or something we have lost. The circle shape has been marked out, and a prayer will be placed nearby for people to use if they wish. The Creative Group at St Mary’s Church had the idea and set it up.

Rev Bouffler said stones that fit in your hand can be added, by people of faith or of none. Stones can be brought along, or participants can use one in the grounds.

"Some people have painted their name or the name they want to remember," she said.

Between Good Friday and Easter Day the cairn will become part of an Easter garden being built as a sign of hope for the future. After Easter, the stones will be placed throughout the churchyard.

Dunmow Broadcast: The cairn at St Mary's, Great DunmowThe cairn at St Mary's, Great Dunmow (Image: The Creative Group at St Mary’s Church)