The Churchyard Annex is a significant village asset. The aim of this campaign is to make people in the village more aware of the cemetery as a green space in which to sit or walk and experience its tranquillity & loveliness.
In the last twelve months we have made significant progress in clearing and tidying up the Churchyard. However, we now urgently need to remove and replace dying yew trees in the main avenue as soon as practically possible.
We have also been working with the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust (WWT) to consider ways in which we can rewild the Graveyard Annex. They have recently produced detailed reports giving specific proposals about how we could do this, which can be seen by clicking the links below:
Biological Enhancement Assessment Report/Proposal
Biological Enhancement Assessment Supporting Appendices
These proposals will of course cost money to implement, with WWT willing to cover up to 70% of any expenditure. We now need to raise the necessary funds to begin this work
We are urgently seeking MORE VOLUNTEERS to help: not only with the twice annual large clearings, but in between times whenever they are free; perhaps to ADOPT an old, NEGLECTED GRAVE, whose family members are no longer with us and keep it tidy; perhaps to help with RAISING the funds needed for the upkeep; perhaps with horticultural or ecological experience to ADVISE and HELP on planting areas, birdbox locations and the like; or perhaps take on specific care of the area round our WAR GRAVE.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Join the Cemetery Volunteer Working Group (email to jfhadup@aol.com)
Help with fundraising for this project
Sponsor or donate towards tree replacement and cemetery improvements by clicking here:
If you are a taxpayer and wish to complete a GIFT AID form, these are on the counter at the entrance to the church, which is open from 10 am to 4 pm daily. Completed forms should be in a sealed envelope marked “For the PCC Treasurer” and may be left in the church.
Any CASH donations may be handed to Richard Clements, Pearl Winchester, Hazel Wakefield, Heather du Plessis
Renovation & Rewilding Campaign
Can You Help?
We're Making Great Progress!
After many years of obscurity, a new gravel surface has now been installed on the Yew Tree lined pathway - shown in the left hand picture. Shown on the right - the team who undertook all the hard work, proudly providing a Guard of Honour in front of their achievement!
Our hardy team in action clearing the area along the fence on the north border of the graveyard on a very hot summer's day!
New Wildflowers & Hedgerow
Several hundred wildflower "plugs" have now been planted in the open area of the graveyard together with cowslips in other areas. It will take a little while for them to be in full flower, but we will soon have many more cowslips and a wonderful array of bee and bird friendly summer blooms!
Earlier this year some 400 mixed hedging whips were also planted along the northern boundary of the graveyard to provide an enhanced area for wildlife. See image to the right.
These initiatives have been supported through a grant from the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.
