God’s Acre
When we visited the church at Sibsey, we noticed a sign about the God’s Acre Project. It seems to be a nature conservation project which manages churchyards for wildlife, in addition to their primary purpose of containing graves.
It seems like a good idea, and after being developed in Lincolnshire has been adopted by some Kent churches too.
It’s difficult to see a downside to the idea, as many churchyards are, to be fair, not kept in a manicured condition. It seems sensible to make a virtue of this and help develop the wildlife potential of the area.
Here are some pictures of the spring flowers at Sibsey. I note that they have nest boxes up too, as they have a number of mature trees, including an avenue of limes.
The stump of cross is, it seems, a Grade 2 listed and a Scheduled Monument. I know we value our old bits and pieces, but this seems over the top for a bit of broken cross. If it was that important they should have looked after it better.
To be honest with you, I’d rather see some of the gravestones scheduled and looked after, rather than a bit of stone which looks tough enough to look after itself.
Remains of the Churchyard Cross
It was just a flying visit on Wednesday, to give me a start on the research for The Talk, as I am beginning to think of it. There is quite a lot more to see, and I’m sure a few leaves on the trees will encourage avian activity around the nest boxes.
My flowers on primroses are taking their time opening but good to see the ones here…. As other have said, a nice project. Apart from benefitting wildlife, it is hopefully beneficial for human visitors.
I enjoyed it. Time was short and the air was nippy so I didn’t linger but in spring with some birds and insects I am sure I will stay longer and relax.
Sounds good!
I will put it in my diary now. Things like this tend to be forgotten.
Indeed they do!
We missed the seals last year because we just had too many things to do. Wouldn’t have happened if they’d been in my diary. They are now!
That’s good to hear. We might get there this year…
Well worth a visit. 🙂
I have seen more interesting crosses, I agree. The conservation project seems to be a good idea.
Yes, it is not an impressive cross, but I’m sure the parishioners are fond of it.
Yes, it seems to lack certain features that I deem essential to being a cross. The project seems very good indeed.
This is a nice idea. I do like those primroses.
It is a good idea. I’m going to visit in Spring and see what it looks like.
An excellent project.
I will report later in the year.
That sounds like a worthy project, God’s Acre, the Lincolnshire Trust took on. More power to them.
I will look in on them later in the year. 🙂