A Community Effort: Urchfont’s new ‘Living Churchyard'

In the summer of 2021, Urchfont Church embarked on their mission to re-wild a section of St Michael and all Angels churchyard as part of the Living Churchyard Project; a community-led response to the issues of loss and biodiversity, habitat and species in Britain’s churchyards. 

Led by long-term PCC member, Derek Milner, with the enthusiastic support of colleagues, Mary Revill and Mally Kimber, the early stages of the project got off to a strong start with the Urchfont Parish Council and its Chairman, Mark Botham, unanimously approving a proposal by the Urchfont Parish Environment Group (UPEG). 

The approval came with a generous grant of £250 to the PCC as seed money, whilst the Urchfont Parish Trust also contributed handsomely by arranging the loan of a turfing machine and donating to the hire of a rotary cultivator in order to prepare the ground. 

In further support, the 1st Urchfont Scout Group assisted the project team with the groundwork and planting as a part of their ongoing community activities. The team planted plug plants and seeds which grew tremendously over the year, but the hot and dry conditions of the recent summer took their toll. 

Nevertheless, the church hope that the native ‘wild’ varieties that were planted will come back when the season returns next year. And despite the unusual weather we have all experienced, some flowers remained in bloom along with beautiful seed heads that were scythed down in late September to allow the flowers to self-seed. 

Wildflowers are not the only new life to be found on the church grounds however, as a recent survey revealed that common Pipistrelles and Horseshoe bats continue to roost in or around the church. 

The church sought guidance from The Wiltshire Bats Group, who granted permission for the church cellar door to be removed for renovation in October, with the timing set to minimise effects on bats roosting and allow for completion before the start of their winter hibernation. 

During the renovation, the bats will have use of a temporary door with an open top to enable them to fly in and out. Bat expert, John Watson, will use water-based, animal-friendly paints and follow consultant’s advice in installing angled planks on the cellar walls for the bats to roost behind. 

Beehives have also sprouted up around the churchyard this year, being managed by experienced local beekeeper, Bill Corke. 

The bees have reportedly been highly active over the summer, and have produced delicious ‘churchyard honey’ which is available for sale from Rose Cottage in Urchfont. 

If St Michael and all Angels’ journey to rewilding their churchyard has left you inspired, or if you’d like to learn more about what can be done, read more about Caring for Creation here. 

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