Wild@AllSaints are a group of volunteers from the church and village community in Earls Barton with an aim to make their churchyard more wildlife friendly and enjoy some gardening along the way.
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In 2014 they registered with the Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust churchyard scheme and set to work making changes to look after the green space and encourage wildlife. Ever since, the group have met monthly to work together on what is needed as well as holding annual wildlife activity afternoons inviting all ages in the community to join in.
Since 1983 the Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs & Northants have run a Conservation Churchyard Award scheme in the county. Any churchyard can request an advisory visit where information will be provided on how best to encourage wildlife in their churchyards. From there, churches can go on to enter a scheme where they work towards achieving bronze, silver and gold awards.
Wild@AllSaints have been doing great things in their churchyard, planting large areas of wildflowers and long grasses to support pollinators and other insects. They have built bug hotels to provide shelter for insects and have been delighted to spot toads, adult and baby hedgehogs, squirrels and a huge variety of birds including goldcrests (the UK’s tiniest bird). All this hard work and commitment has paid off with a churchyard that is friendlier for the surrounding wildlife and for the community to enjoy.
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This hard work was recognised earlier this year when Wild@AllSaints were awarded gold by the Wildlife Trust. Nicky Smith, a member of Wild@AllSaints said “we were delighted to receive the Wildlife Trust's gold churchyard award with two members of the trust coming to our church service to present the award and help us celebrate with cake”.
If you have been inspired to make changes to your churchyard and encourage more wildlife, why not register your church? All those that register will receive a visit from Wildlife Trust judges, a report with recommendations on changes that could be made and a plaque to be displayed in the churchyard.
More details can be found on the Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs & Northants' website.