Page 19 - Oundle Life January 2025
P. 19

                                    DEAD END?
St Peter’s Churchyard
Some years ago it was recognised that, in many towns, churchyards were one of the few ‘green’ spaces open to the public. 15 years ago, Judy and Jeremy Rusher offered to lead a small group of local volunteers from the church and the town to manage an area of St Peter’s churchyard to support wildlife and promote biodiversity.
The churchyard had been closed to burials since the 1860’s, and had been closely mown
to keep it tidy. The decision, supported by the Church, the Northants Wildlife Trust and the Oundle Town Council, was to turn part of the area ‘wild’. Since then, a very reduced mowing regime, the introduction of appropriate types of wild flower seeds and a reduction of dominant species e.g. cow parsley and comfrey, has created a series of different habitats. To support wildlife, bird and bat boxes have been put up, and also a bug hotel; overwintering places
for hedgehogs and a dead hedge give cover
for small mammals and insects. The increase in spring flowers encourages bees which are some of the world’s most important insects. In addition, careful records of species of plants, insects and animals that were observed were kept. These provide a unique record of local wildlife over the past fifteen years and for ongoing monitoring.
The churchyard has now been identified by the planning group for Nature Recovery in Oundle as an important part of the ‘corridor’ for wildlife that lies between Heron Roger’s Wood in the west and the River Nene in the East.
Could you volunteer to join the group by offering an hour or so several times a year to do some relaxed gardening (tools provided)?
Contact administrator@oundlestpeters.org.uk or ring 01832 275675
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