FOR two years, professional and volunteer archaeologists have been digging around the site of Polesworth Abbey, in the north of Birmingham diocese. Last year, they discovered the remains of 15 Polesworth ancestors, and at the time were unable, the Revd Philip Wells says, to tell whether they were "old, very old, or very, very old".

While analysis by radio-carbon dating was going on, the 15 were solemnly reburied in the modern churchyard after a service of thanksgiving (above), a long procession having carried caskets of the individual remains to the burial site.

The results of the analysis have now become available, and it seems that these were "very, very old" Saxon ancestors, dating back as far as the ninth century, and almost certainly Christian, as they were buried without any grave goods. "So this", Mr Wells says, "is a tangible link right back to the early days of the Benedictine monastery here, the original Polesworth Abbey, and our founder patron and local saint, Editha."

The Palm Sunday service will start in the churchyard. The palm crosses will be blessed, and then a memorial stone to these Saxon forebears - possibly the early nuns of Polesworth - will be dedicated. The stone, Mr Wells says, "will record these precious ancestors".