Here at St Edmund's we've been working with the Churchyard Biodiversity and Heritage Project, and we're delighted to share that our churchyard features in one of their videos.
The project is led by the Diocese of Coventry and has been supported by a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant, helping parishes across the diocese look at their churchyards in a fresh way: not just as places of rest and remembrance, but as green spaces full of life and history.
It's easy to walk past a churchyard without a second glance, but these quiet corners can be remarkably rich in wildlife. Because churchyards have often been left undisturbed for centuries, their grassland has largely escaped the ploughing, fertilisers and pesticides that changed the surrounding countryside. The old walls and headstones matter too.
Of around 2,000 lichen species found in Britain, more than a third grow in churchyards. Alongside the wildlife, every stone and path tells part of the story of Shipston and the generations who have gathered here.
Through the project we've already enjoyed events such as our moth breakfast and nature journalling sessions in the churchyard, and we're really looking forward to spending more time with the team in the months ahead. It has been a lovely way to discover just how much is living on our doorstep and to think about how we can care for it, as good stewards of God's creation.
Take a look at the video and see our churchyard as you may never have seen it before:
Keep an eye on our news page for future churchyard events. Everyone is welcome to come along, explore and help us look after this special place.
