Some of the oldest and most impressive monuments, from the pyramids at Giza to the passage grave at Newgrange in Ireland, are memorials for the dead. The humblest headstone in a country churchyard is part of a human impulse to immortalise those we have loved and lost which can be seen throughout time, all over […]
Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor) is a true hero in the quest to restore and create wildflower meadows. This semi-parasitic annual attaches itself to neighbouring grasses through its root system, reducing the vigour of the grass. Where Yellow Rattle is present, you will notice that the grass is shorter and less dense. (It can reduce hay […]
We interviewed John Burditt from St. Mary’s Churchyard in Offwell, Devon, to learn about their experience during their Churches Count on Nature day held on Wednesday, June 12th. Their aim was to introduce local pupils to the rich biodiversity in the churchyard, with a particular focus on moths, ancient trees, and medicinal plants. The entire […]
From Saturday, June 8th to Sunday, June 16th, communities across the UK came together to celebrate Love Your Burial Ground Week, Churches Count on Nature, and National Cemeteries Week. This year saw over 350 events organised, each highlighting the unique blend of history, nature, and community found in our local churchyards and cemeteries. A Week […]
Swifts, swallows, and house martins are all expert fliers that hunt insects mid-air, catching and eating them while in flight. These birds are social and gregarious, and they have similar sizes and shapes, making it challenging to distinguish between them. By popular request we have produced this new guide as part of our Spotter’s Guide […]
We’ve been putting together a new guide you can download as a PDF to help if you are using iNaturalist. We also have two short videos on how to use iNaturalist too. It’s a really easy and fun app to use!
A new directory has been launched to help the public find funeral flowers that are kinder to the environment. The directory can be used to find local florists who will avoid all plastics and floral foam. Additionally a large majority of the flowers are locally grown. We receive many enquiries from churchwardens about the amount of uncompostable waste and litter issues […]
Introduction Churchyards and cemeteries are peaceful places where people can reflect and connect with nature. Lately, we have been asked about having beehives in burial grounds. If you are considering this, we hope this information helps. Is beekeeping the right thing for you? First of all, beekeeping is about managed honeybees. It is not about […]
A guest blog from our friends at Action for Swifts , first published in 2020. They have produced an excellent PDF which can be downloaded here, complete with illustrations and photographs for anyone who is interested in installing nest boxes in their local church belfry. With their permission the content is reproduced below. Nest boxes […]
A Call to Protect Our Prickly Friends Hedgehogs are facing a tough time and their numbers are declining. According to the latest State of Britain’s hedgehogs report, numbers of hedgehogs have fallen by up to 30% in urban areas and 50% in rural areas since 2000 Although cemeteries and churchyards can be welcoming spaces for these prickly and […]
Amphibians and reptiles have a special place in many of our hearts – perhaps stemming from fond childhood memories of collecting tadpoles in jars, or the thrill of catching a glimpse of a lizard as it disappears into a stone wall. Burial grounds are perhaps not an obvious place to find amphibians and reptiles, but […]
We spoke with Sarah Jane Godson, Charity Co-ordinator of The Quiet Garden Movement to learn a little more about the charity. How many Quiet Gardens are there and where can they be found? There are 254 quiet gardens worldwide. Whilst most are hosted in private homes we also have gardens in schools, retreat centres, places […]