September 2005 Met Surveys help to Reposition War Memorial with Pinpoint Accuracy It is hard to imagine why anyone would want to move a war grave head stone, but for St Paul's Church in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, and the War Graves Commission it was a problem they had to face. The closed graveyard at St Paul's church had been subject to vandalism and become heavily overgrown. The decision was taken to landscape and tidy the entire graveyard, returning it to its original state. Restoration of the graveyard would involve having to move a war grave headstone, which would then have to be cleaned and repositioned in its exact location, pin point precision was required. Met Surveys Ltd, a recognised market leader in land, building and geophysical surveying were commissioned by CTAC and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to survey the graveyard initially and mark the location of all headstones and distinctive features, with particular emphasis placed on the war grave. The graveyard was surveyed using a Leica TPS 1200 total station to map all distinctive features and headstones. Utilising the latest technology and expertise allowed for the accurate positioning and recording of headstones, and representation on plans. The plans enabled Met Surveys to return to the church yard and set out the exact location for the war grave to be returned to. Neil Harvey, Director, Met Surveys comments: It has taken several years to regenerate and landscape the graveyard and restore it back to the way it was before vandals left their mark. It was vital that the war grave headstone was returned to its exact location. Utilising the latest technologies, knowledge and expertise has ensured the gravestone will be returned back to its rightful position.