The churchyard
Part graveyard, part nature reserve, and looked after by a dedicated band of volunteers.
We're slowly turning much of our churchyard into a place for wildlife. That means long grass and wildflowers in places, which can look a bit untidy for a while, but it's working. We've seen more butterflies and moths, mice and voles, wild flowers and birds, and this year six kestrel chicks hatched in the tower and fledged.
The front grass and drive are kept neat, and our volunteers look after the cremated remains areas, clearing dead flowers and broken pots so it's a safe, peaceful place to visit.
What's growing
This year we added a Common Spotted Orchid to our list. In autumn the Woodland Trust is sending 15 small native trees to plant near the old vicarage wall, joining a maple, a crab apple, a cherry, an apple and a black elderberry. We're working with River Holme Connections, who will help cut back the wild areas in August and provide native seeds.
Come and help
The gardening team meets on Wednesday mornings around 8.30am. Everyone is welcome, especially anyone with a strimmer that actually works.