Isn’t God’s created world just wonderful and glorious? This week I have watched two new kestrels calling to their parent whilst they follow and learn to hunt, last week I timed it right to watch the barn owl glide across the field and today I have spotted a stray pansy which has flowered in our lawn – a bright splash of yellow on a bed of green. A little bit of hope - how did that get there!
As I drive to church I have noticed the wonderful geraniums, the neat borders and the abundance of colour from well-kept gardens in Scawby. It all looks so colourful and tended with love and care.
My joy is however in our Church Yard at Scawby which is indeed God's own garden. It is far from pristine but it is abundant. Here for me is the cycle of rogation and harvest, planting and reaping, life cycles and natural development. I like the idea that there will always be flowers on the graves through natural growth.
To appreciate the churchyard you have to be prepared to look carefully. A pristine lawn is a work of art, a meadow or woodland is a creation.
Last year Lindsay, Carol and I counted and identified 49 different species of wild flowers between cuts, this year with longer cuts and allowing growth that number has started to increased. We plan to chart where everything is, identify the different grasses, lichens and trees and work on the insect, bird and animal life.
The plan is that the borders between the yews, the triangle of grass in front of church, under the bench and in front of the flower beds be kept short. The remainder be allowed to ‘meadow’ and kept under review. The objective is to encourage growth of wild flowers native to Scawby. Growth in the wooded area is less prolific apart from spring when we have a splendid display of aconites and snowdrops. These are usually followed by bluebells. The aim here is to increase the woodland plants by taking advantage of seeding from violets, and red and white campion growing locally.
I have noticed the graves which are visited and will make sure these are available.
A few people have mentioned the ivy and nettles to me. The ivy needs to be managed but at the moment provides ground cover and wildlife habitats, it protects seeds and it too flowers. The aim is to keep the graves stones free from it although it does protect some from further weathering. We are keeping a check on the nettles – the nettle flowers are pale green and the plant is much loved by butterflies but we don’t need it in abundance. Likewise the ground elder has its place but we need to introduce robust plants which can compete. We do not plan to introduce anything which will ‘take over’ e.g. balsam.
It would be wonderful if more people became involved. You might do a bug search, twilight bird watch, plant count, make some bug hotel’s or just realise how much of God’s creation you are missing in this wildlife haven.
Finally – our God's own Garden is a tranquil and prayerful place to sit to be at one with our maker. Enjoy.
Ruth.
[For more on this topic visit https://www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk/}
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