An outdoor service and churchyard exploration on Environment Sunday

Armed with magnifying glasses and a handheld digital microscope members of All Saints Church in Nunney explored the wildlife in their churchyard on Environment Sunday. With help from local botanists Gill Read and Angela Osborne, the group set out to study the land around the church to discover what wildlife is there. They’ll share their findings as part of the Churches Count on Nature project being run by ARocha, and God’s Acre together with the Church of England.  

Church Warden Caroline Pomeroy was one of those who helped organise the event.

“We had a good Bio Blitz in the churchyard yesterday – in all we found 86 species. We have nothing very rare growing, but it is great to know what we have. The children loved looking at the plants through a hand lens and digital microscope, so they could see all the details of the plants.

“We will now be working with our church community and Mendip District Council to decide how to manage the churchyard in future for the benefit of wildlife. We have already had lots of good conversations with families who tend graves, explaining what we are doing and discussing the best way to care for the churchyard.”

As a result of the day, two church members are now working on a children’s worksheet to help families explore the wildlife in the churchyard.

St Edward’s Chilton Polden took part in the count for the first time after the organisers heard about it at the Wilder Churches events with Somerset Wildlife Trust. Co-organiser, Anita Hayne said, “We found 120 different species of plants and animals, including slow worms and different kinds of bees. We started small this year but made some great connections with our community and plan to do it again next year.”

Meanwhile in the village of Chewton Keynsham, Eco-Church met outside for a socially distanced Environment Sunday Service. Eco-Church in Chewton Keynsham meets once a month hosting regular speakers on the environment. It kept going throughout lockdown like many people, using Zoom to stay connected and meeting outside when the weather permitted.

Revd Mike Burke from St John’s in Keynsham led the service. 

“This Sunday we heard how Churches Together in Keynsham and Saltford has facilitated a community Eco-Festival on 17th-18th September this year involving over 30 local environmental groups and businesses in a showcase event as well as guests speakers  at a Climate Change forum at the Civic Centre.

“We also heard about regular monthly prayer meetings that take place ecumenically over Zoom for environmental justice and about how Keynsham Community Fridge has recently re-launched, making surplus food available in a local café.”

Microscopes at the ready at Nunny         Outdoor worship in Keynsham                   Going wild at St Edward’s Chilton Polden