Caring for God's Acre tenth anniversary celebrations for International Year of Biodiversity
LOCAL CHARITY CELEBRATES ITS TENTH ANNIVERSARY BY HELPING COMMUNITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY
This year, Caring for God’s Acre, (CfGA) the charity for the conservation of churchyards and burial grounds, which started in Shropshire has two celebrations - its tenth anniversary and the United Nations’ International Year of Biodiversity.
Caring for God’s Acre Manager, Sue Cooper, said “Although we work across the country much of our work has concentrated on the communities in South Shropshire and Herefordshire where we have helped local people bring in over£250,000 towards their own churchyard conservation projects.”
For their tenth anniversary Caring for God’s Acre Charity has launched a new national initiative -“Cherishing Churchyards Week”, which runs from 19th to 27th June and provides an opportunity to link with the International Year of Biodiversity celebrations. The CfGA website has lots of support and advice for groups joining in “Cherishing Churchyards Week”. So take a look at www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk events page for inspiration or contact Sue by email or telephone 01568 611154.
“Churchyards are a precious resource which can make a huge contribution to the biodiversity of the area and at the same time engage and educate the wider community. Sensitive churchyard care can also enhance them for local people and others who are visiting the graves of family or friends.” said Sue.
Across Shropshire there are a number of churchyards such as at Hope Bagot and nearby Whitton, Stokesay, Hopesay, Clun, Bishop’s Castle, Ratlinghope and Cwm Head where the churchyards have old, species grassland with a variety of spring and summer wildflowers and rare grassland fungi.
Veteran yew trees, known as ‘green monuments’, are also found in many of our churchyards. All these plants and animals, which add to the beauty and interest of the places we live need sensitive management. .
David Shreeve, the Churches National Environment Adviser said: “Churchyards can be a vital biodiversity resource often containing a variety of wildlife which are unique to the area. Advice on their care is available from many local wildlife trusts and nationally from Caring for God’s Acre.”
Back