Living churchyard and cemetery project
Churchyards can be rich wildlife havens!
- Areas of managed grass cutting for wildflowers and insects
- Walls and gravestones with lichens and mosses
- Patches of woodland, hedges and shrubs
- Introduction of log piles and compost heaps
- Nesting boxes erected for birds and bats
The Living Churchyards and Cemeteries Scheme recognises the main function of the churchyard, burial and crematoria grounds, chapel and church and aims to maintain a respectful surrounding for these functions. At the same time, it enables local communities to get involved in the management of their churchyards for the benefit of wildlife whilst maintaining a neat and tidy setting. Certificates are awarded for management in this way.
Volunteers needed
Wiltshire already has between 35 and 40 churchyards maintaining their grounds for wildlife, but it would be good to have more. The project needs volunteer advisers to support and encourage more churches to join the scheme.
You do not have to be a churchgoer or an expert- just an enthusiast! Plenty of information and advice is available to help you, and the task is as onerous as you wish to make it.
If you are interested in creating wildlife areas in your local Wiltshire churchyard contact one of the numbers below and we will put you in touch with the nearest advisor.
The project also needs people or organisations that can help in areas such as: - wildflower, bird, bat, mammal and insect surveying.
Other assistance in providing notice boards and plaques, related tools and equipment would also be welcome.
Contact Us
Ivan Randall (Chief Adviser) Tel 01249 657684, Email: ivan@irandall.fsnet.co.uk
Mark Claybrough (Adviser), Email: mac123mail-lccp@yahoo.co.uk