Download Walesby Old Church God`s Acre Project Mid

Walesby Old Church God’s Acre Project
Mid-Year Report – 2015
The charity ‘Caring for God’s Acre’ has guidance via its website for those wishing to conserve
their churchyard as a haven for wildflowers and wildlife http://www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk/ .
A management plan was drawn up in September 2014 based on the God’s Acre principles
and previous surveys of the churchyard.
The management plan was displayed on the Churchyard noticeboard with an aerial view
showing pathways & seating areas, spring flowering sections, summer flowering sections
and areas primarily populated by meadow grasses. This year’s priority has been to remove
(by cutting & raking) invasive plants especially hog weed & docks. Wildflowers have been
encouraged to spread by careful timing of strimming to allow seedheads to ripen and fall
before being cut.
This report summarises the work done by 12 volunteers in the months since Summer 2014.
Predominance of Hogweed and Docks being strimmed & raked off during summer 2014
All areas, including the perimeter, were strimmed and cleared during autumn 2014
Volunteers cut back the overhanging hedge on the south side by 2 -3 metres during January
Snow in January preceeded a pleasing display of snowdrops helped by the hedging work
Celandine and violets followed in March
Bees & insects appreciated the flowering ground ivy and dandelions in April
An April cut of the west bank helped to control the invasive Hogweed before summer
flowering plants emerged. A visit by Mark Schofield, the LWT Wildflower Meadow Network
Project Officer confirmed the churchyard’s potential as an important link between several
chalkland wildlife sites in the wolds.
Crosswort and Bluebells in the spring flowering southwest corner during May
The brushcutter was used in May to deal with aggressive Hogweed & Docks in several areas
Nettles, mainly around the perimeter, provided food for tortoiseshell butterflies, etc.
The West Bank had a good stand of meadow grasses in June and an increasing number of
Ladies’ Bedstraw plants – an important ‘indicator species’ along with Knapweed.
Volunteers ‘weeded’ around the new hedging on the East & West boundaries to ensure it
continued to thrive. The spring flowering southwest corner was strimmed once seedheads
had ripened.
Also in June, there were Star of Bethlehem clusters in several areas and numerous Black
Horehound flowers close to seats and church walls attracted the bees.
Meadow Grasses, Red & White clovers and a Ringlet butterfly on west bank in July sunshine
July & August sees the strimming, raking & carting volunteers ‘Haymaking’ the standing
meadow grasses. Regrowth will then be mown with the brushcutter set high until growth
slows by October.
October & November sees the end of the flowering season and it’s time to tidy up the
perimeter vegetation, around the gravestones and church walls. Thistles & Ragwort which
have been permitted to flower because of their value to butterflies, bees & other insects
will be cut to prevent them spreading seeds. However, strimming is not permitted close to
ancient stonework to reduce the risk of causing damage to the structure or its protective
layer of lichens etc. Also, weeding close to ancient headstones is limited to the control of
tree saplings or aggressive species because repeated removal of plants can cause them to
become unstable and dangerous.
A number of interested volunteers and supporters are planning to attend a 1-day God’s Acre
conference at High Toynton, near Hornscastle during September. This will give an
opportunity to gain a better understanding of the techniques for managing a churchyard to
conserve wildlife, ancient structures and the interest of visitors and the local community.
Lessons learned will help to review and modify the management plan for next year.