Many church communities are keen to ensure their churchyards serve as a haven for wildlife, but it’s not always clear how this can be achieved when also juggling tight budgets and the desire from many to ensure the space looks ‘tidy’.
Marsham’s All Saints Church is aiming to balance all these considerations as it continues to cultivate partnerships with regional organisations to support its environmental mission.
Building on recent collaborations with Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the Diocese of Norwich Churchyard Conservation Scheme, the latest project has seen the PCC approve plans for 120 saplings of mixed hedging to flank the churchyard – all provided for free by The Woodland Trust.
In addition to securing the plants, the church’s fabric officer, Nicola Hibberd, issued an appeal for green-fingered volunteers in Marsham’s village newsletter. A really positive response to this call-out has now seen a group of volunteers meet for the first time to plant saplings as well as clearing weeds and nettles where necessary.
Discussing the joy of this latest environmental project, which has attracted volunteers of all ages, Nicola Hibberd said:
“It is encouraging that so many members of our community want to be involved in our eco projects at the church.
“Our plant hedging will hopefully encourage more wildlife over the coming years and provide an environment where people want to spend time outdoors as well.”
Almost an entire bank was planted in the first day, with all deeming the day a success – so much so that Hibberd has now applied for further saplings which will be arriving in November.
The team responsible for gardening and maintenance at All Saints conforms to a plan of grass cutting recommended following an assessment by Norfolk Wildlife Trust.
There are wildflower areas in the older section of the churchyard whereas, in the newest area which is still in use for burials, grass is kept a little shorter as many people visiting graves are eager for the appearance to remain as ‘tidy’ as possible.
Information on how churches can get involved in a wide range of biodiversity initiatives can be found at www.dioceseofnorwich.org/biodiversity or by contacting our Diocesan Environment Officer, Barbara Bryant: barbara.bryant@dioceseofnorwich.org