Creating Biodiversity in the Churchyard
We are continuing to develop more biodiverse areas in the churchyard while keeping those areas, where there are more recent graves, mown and accessible. We now rely on volunteers for mowing, strimming and general maintenance as church funds could no longer support the cost of a paid worker.
We have seen yellow rattle become more established on both sides of the main path allowing a greater variety of wild flowers to seed. This is bringing in more bees and other insects as well as creating food and habitats for small animals and birds. Slow worms, hedgehogs and bats have all been observed in the churchyard.
Apple trees have been planted by the children from the school and areas of hedging have been supplemented with whips of hawthorn and wild rose. In future we hope to create more seating areas for quiet contemplation and observation of nature.
This project although not keenly welcomed by some, is an essential part of our church restoration project and our bid for National Heritage Lottery funding would not be considered without proof that our project is also contributing to improving our environment.
Church Restoration (Unity in Our Heritage Project)
Work on gaining funding to replace the church roof and other repairs is ongoing. We have discovered that it is not simply a matter of filling out an application form, many other aspects have to be in place before a project will be considered eligible for National Heritage Lottery funding. We have been fortunate in having a vibrant and well respected local history group in the village, who are actively partnering our efforts to preserve and enhance village heritage. Their recent exhibition of artefacts from World War II for the anniversary of VE day have now become a permanent display and is just one example of joint projects in and around the church.
We hope to create more community use of the church building and the school’s art exhibition is one example, which will now become an annual event.
There is daily free access to the church where anyone may sit for quiet contemplation, a pause point to reset and restore energies.
Once the roof is water tight again, we can then begin to consider making the interior of the church more welcoming and warmer, by the addition of solar panels for a more economic and environmentally friendly form of heating.
We will need the continued support of our community to successfully achieve this project as our church is a Grade II* listed building and currently listed on the National Heritage at Risk register.
Anyone wishing to be involved in this project please contact Roger Walter, Church Warden on 01237 451132