CHURCHYARD
What is the Churchyard Project?
The aim of the project is to respectfully restore the churchyard, whilst developing a community friendly, nature area.
The churchyard has been in need of some tender, loving care for many years.
As it became more and more overgrown, it also became a collecting ground for litter.
For several months’ volunteers have been working on the project to clear the overgrown elements. Volunteers were initially church members, but we are delighted to have been joined by members of the local community and we have also had support from the Clean and Green Team and advice from members of the Grounds Team at The Old Hall.
Wildlife conservation
Our churchyard is already a haven for wildlife. Volunteers have been serenaded by the residents! We are visited regularly by a variety of birds including robins and blackbirds. A treecreeper has been spotted along with squirrels and rabbits and we’ve watched and listened to a great spotted woodpecker drumming!
We are extremely conscious of our responsibility towards the environment and nature conservation. Following advice from Ellaine Hush, Visitor Experience and Gardens Officer from the Old Hall, we plan to leave sections of the churchyard relatively undisturbed but managed, in order to develop a variety of habitats and encourage an even greater variety of wildlife. Eventually, we also hope to encourage the growth of native woodland plants. We have been thrilled to see the appearance of spring flowers in the cleared ground.
We are in the process of developing a long-term plan for the upkeep of the churchyard. In the meantime work continues to clear the overgrown and lost areas. It is hard, but satisfying work and it has been a joy to uncover the headstones so that they are able to reveal the dedications written on them once again.
If you would like to more detail on the project please see the noticeboard in church.
Photos tracking the progress so far can be seen here.