Churchyard Champions celebrate nature and community at St John’s Ryhall 

Churchyard Champions and volunteers from the local community recently gathered at St John’s Church, Ryhall, to explore the rich variety of plants and minibeasts that call the churchyard home. The biodiversity survey formed part of the nationwide Churches Count on Nature initiative, helping local people contribute to a bigger picture of wildlife across the country. 

By identifying and recording the plants and animals found in this much-loved historic green space, volunteers are helping to build a clearer understanding of what is thriving, what may need extra care, and how the Churchyard Champions and PCC can best steward this special place for future generations. 

Paula Wilkinson from St John’s Environment Group was delighted to welcome new families to the event, where children and adults enjoyed discovering moths, beetles and many other insects together. 

She said: “The churchyard is a sanctuary for our native wildlife and plants. Promoting biodiversity is one way the church can help protect wildlife in our community.” 

Recent surveys have shown encouraging signs of success, with the number of bat species recorded in the churchyard increasing from two to six. Volunteers have also identified endangered species including slow worms, a hedgehog and a stag beetle larva. 

Bug hotels, a stag beetle habitat, bird boxes, feeders, a wildlife area and water sources all help create a welcoming home for a wide variety of plants and animals. Slow worms now live in compost heaps built by volunteers, while insects and spiders thrive in the giant bug hotels created by pupils from Ryhall Church of England Academy. 

Paula added: “Providing several water sources on site can really help animals and birds cope with the recent exceptionally dry weather.” 

Ryhall resident and chartered environmentalist David Denman joined the volunteers to help sample and identify wildlife throughout the churchyard. 

He said: “St John’s churchyard contains many different habitats, all of which contribute to Ryhall’s biodiversity. Bats roost in the church, slow worms live around the edges of the churchyard, and the list of butterflies, moths and other insects recorded here continues to grow. We are working to increase biodiversity by adding bug hotels and managing the grassland to encourage a wider variety of plant and animal species.” 

His expertise helped volunteers gain a greater appreciation of the abundance of wildlife supported by this shared village space. 

Anyone wishing to get involved is warmly invited to join the Churchyard Champion volunteers on the first Saturday of each month, from 10am to 12 noon, between March and October. Volunteers are encouraged to bring a few tools if they have them, although this is not essential, and can enjoy homemade refreshments and fellowship with the group. 

Sandra Chapman from the St John’s group said: “We’re a friendly bunch and you’ll be very welcome. The volunteers have cared for this beautiful green space for six years, starting during Covid when people wanted to meet safely outdoors and enjoy each other’s company.” 

Today, the churchyard continues to be a place where people can connect with one another, care for God’s creation and play their part in supporting local wildlife. 

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For more news from the Churchyard Champions, visit the Ryhall, Essendine and Carlby Churches Facebook page.