Environment Group
Notes on the Wildlife Garden from the Environment Group
Our Wildlife Garden is just over a year old and there has been quite a transformation! It was in May 2007 that we began preparing the ground, then planting the mountain ash tree and over 100 other shrubs and wild flowers. Many new plants, seeds and bulbs have been added since then, along with a bright sign showing the name of the garden. Environmentally friendly options were chosen for the path (made of recycled rubber tyre chips) which leads to a bench (made of strong recycled plastic wood) where you are invited to sit in peace and pause a while. The bench was donated by Deaconess Platt in memory of her husband, Canon Platt; sadly, Marjorie died before she was able to see the bench – it will now be inscribed with both their names.
The simple sunken dish of water has really attracted the birds as a place to bathe and drink. The bird box in the tree at the back of the garden is ready for occupation. We have a refuge for toads (toad-hole!) and piles of prunings and branches have been left on site to give shelter to small animals and insects.
The garden this spring has been alight with the colour of daffodils and, behind the upright gravestones, delightful carpets of violets and celandines, interspersed with primroses. More primroses, cowslips, lungwort, bluebells and forget-me-nots have followed on, beneath the pink of the flowering currant bushes. The wild flower “plugs” planted in the grassy area seem to have over-wintered well and should develop more, flower and set seed this summer. Keep an eye open for these beautiful and delicate but sometimes inconspicuous plants which are easily overlooked. Many packets of seed have been scattered in the poor soil at the front of the garden but whether these will produce the hoped-for “wildflower meadow effect” remains to be seen... Look out for butterflies, hoverflies, bees and other insects as well, since much of the planting should be attractive to these creatures.
Thanks are due to those who have helped in the garden, particularly with the heavier tasks. Do come and join us by helping in the garden on the following Friday mornings : June 13 th , June 27 th and July 11 th . If you are not able to help, come and have a look, have a sit down, enjoy the view!
Carolyn Robinson
NOTES FROM ST CATHERINE'S ENVIRONMENT GROUP
Recycling
Each Sunday please think about those small items that need recycling and bring them to church rather than leave them in a drawer or worse still sending them for land fill. We will recycle for you small batteries, cartridges, spectacles, mobile telephones as well as clean silver foil. Not only is this good recycling practice but it is also helping charities such as Christian Aid in the work they do.
Wildlife Garden
Don't forget to visit the Wildlife Garden during late spring and see what is in flower. Carolyn is keeping a comprehensive record of what is flowering and when. This will be a useful pointer about what to look out for next year and will also be a record of changes in flowering patterns which all of us are witnessing.
Fairtrade Stall
Not only will there be the regular Fairtrade stall on Sunday 25 th May but there will be an extra one at the May Fair on 3 rd May. Please support these ventures by planning your Fairtrade shopping around these dates.
John Freeman
