Caring for Creation at St Peter's
Our church loves nature and the beauty found in it, which is a gift from God that we can all embrace, sustain, and nurture.
From flowers, plants and trees to the insects, animals, rivers and seas - all of nature is there for the glory of the Lord and we are the stewards of His bounty.
Churchyard Conservation Group
An update from the Churchyard Conservation team; made up of members of the St Peter's church family, who met up in September to review progress and then make plans for the coming seasons.
They are working hard to see what can be done to help sustain the churchyard and promote our living in harmony with it through the years.
This venture is inspired by the work of conservation charity, Caring for God's Acre
HABITAT
Since the trial meadow area development, Michelle has conducted a grid survey of each section with regard to wild flowers and grasses species which will be added to in Spring 2027.
(The results once completed will be added to this Caring for Creation page)
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These conservation sites and the Garden of Remembrance mounds are to be strimmed and raked clear during October to get it ready for winter.
The Garden of Remembrance will be planted with Yellow Rattle plug plants in the near future thereby starting the fight back against the present invasive grasses.
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Once this has happened, the group will assess which native wildflowers will be planted in the meadows and other areas.
The ropes and signs have gone for this year, but will return afresh just before mowing time.
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Primroses and Cowslips, which naturally flourish in the North of the churchyard, will also be cordoned off in the New Year.
We are glad to have received the support of the local community in this venture - particularly to have their understanding with regards to access of maintained gravesites - all of which continues unfettered. Thanks to all who have visited and understood the work that is being done.
Autumn Cyclamen are a current highlight in the churchyard, these small flowers are plentiful at present
COMMUNITY
Another feature of Caring for God’s Acre is that of local community.
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There are sixteen war graves in our churchyard.
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Mr Thomas Batt has researched these and produced biographies of the service men buried here.
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This information has now been passed onto our website administrator and our church history section of the website will have a page that features their names in a roll call of honour.
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This new web page will appear in time for Remembrance this year.
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The research is rather extensive therefore a physical version of the paperwork will be available to people who visit St Peter's to read it.
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​Some of the graves have CWGC stones, others are headstones or family vaults, so there will be a plan as to find them
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SPIRITUALITY
We are exploring the possibility of mowing a labyrinth within the circular wildflower area in the southeast section of the churchyard.
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There is considerable potential for conservation to evolve - we look forward to the next inspiration and new ideas
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Churchyard Conservation Steering Group are -
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Revd Sue
Michelle
Paulann
Jackie
For more information and to obtain excellent tips, guidance and advice -
https://www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk/
Wildlife
St Peter's Churchyards is a haven for local wildlife - birds, bats, squirrels and
other creatures all call it their home. See how many you spot on your next journey through the churchyard.
Things to Do Locally
Through the year, there are bat walks, swift walks and lots of other ways to get involved locally - Friends of the Pond are the latest group who have made a difference to a favourite local landmark; the duck pond near Lent Green Lane is now thriving
Flowers
From the flowers on display inside the church, to the wild growing meadow areas which change with the seasons, there are plenty of flowers and plants to be seen - many of them are sustaining for bees and other insects/mammals etc.
Help Us to Grow
Our churchyard requires people to care for it, help to keep it tidy, planting, weeding and lots of little tasks which all add to the beauty of nature and it's surroundings. If you would like to help out in the churchyard, please pop in the office and get more information
Refuse
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This involves saying "no" to unnecessary items, especially single-use plastics and products with excessive packaging.
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Reduce
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Focuses on consuming less and choosing durable, long-lasting products over single use disposable ones.
Reuse
Extending the life of items by finding new uses for them instead of throwing them away - this can lead directly to...
Repurpose
Finding creative and fun ways to transform no longer needed items into something new, useful or beautiful, rather than discarding them.
Recycle
Sorting out our rubbish and waste materials which we then send to be processed into new products.
The more we can recycle, the less we waste and we can help the natural world around us.
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See if you can do these small changes to make a big difference.
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