Eco Church

EcoChurch Report  May 2023

It has always been a hope and dream at St George’s to have additional space for children’s activities, meetings, functions and events. 

Attached to the south of the Church this new addition would overlook the river and be accessed directly from the Church.  It would also accommodate a kitchen, larger vestry, storage and much needed additional toilet facilities.

This is very early days but initial investigations have shown that there are grants available to help fund this wonderful useable space.  In this current economic climate we have to ensure that we use our heat and light as economically as possible both from a cost and environmental point of view. This is a very difficult challenge with the constraints in planning terms that come with a beautiful 18^th century Church which originated in the 12^th Century.

Our heating boiler was replaced nearly five years ago which at the time was the right decision. In the Church calendar our busiest month is always December and this year it was exceptionally cold. Even with our new Nest monitoring system, and being signed up to the cheapest tariffs, the heating in December alone cost £800.  With our new 21^st century extension we would be allowed to install a more economical heat pump system. Apart from heating the new extension when required, it would also be used to heat the Church as well.

Looking at the long term for energy bills this is the way to go. It will also give us the chance to look at how we can reduce our electricity bills as well by using 21^st century systems. You will be kept informed as we progress our enquiries on deliverability, and the next step will be a consultation with the Archdeacon.

Carrying on from last year’s report please see below our progress to hopefully achieving our Gold EcoChurch award from ARocha:

Beehives

Sandra Rogers has been keeping bees in the Maurice Family Burial Plot at St George’s Preshute Church since May 22 . This all started with a nuc box (like a tiny half hive) which was transferred carefully into a hive decorated with sunflowers. She has now added a second hive covered with daisy’s. Bees can see patterns and some colours, so hopefully this will  help them find their way home.

The Maurice family have also been wonderfully supportive and kind about using this space for beehives. With their permission Sandra and her friend Trudi Granger (also a bee keeper) have been planting daffodils, crocus, anemone, grape hyacinths and bluebells in that area to give the bees some spring flowers. Wild roses in the hedge around the plot will also provide early spring forage for the bees.

Bees will also feed on the chestnut blossom from the existing chestnut trees in the Churchyard in the spring. Flowering trees and hedges are also a valuable source of food for them and we are looking at how we can add more food for the bees, while at the same time making our Churchyard more beautiful, with as little maintenance as possible. The PCC has also agreed to planting seven cherry trees and a pollinator garden that can be planted with seeds and plug plants, both of these are ideal food for the bees.

Stumpery

We have lost an ash tree in the Churchyard to ‘ash dieback’ disease and the PCC have agreed to cut this down. The intention is to make the stump of the tree and some logs into a a ‘stumpery’. This is where the existing trunk is cut off to form a table and other logs are cut to size to make seats, great place to have a picnic. Suitable planting around it and in it will start in October. If it works out well we may look at incorporating this area as a memorial garden which would be lovely for visitors and the bees.

Funding

EcoChurch is self funding thanks to Chris McColl and Bridget Smith selling plants at the Fete, at Churchyard clear up and from their base in Manton High Street. Further funding for our future plans will come from ‘planting a cherry tree (£800) or buying a bench (£1,000) in memory of a loved one’. Prices include a memorial plaque.

Church Riverside

Last year, Action for the River Kennet (ARK) helped us stem the erosion of the river banks and this has all now matured beautifully. ARK installed two brash wood ‘mattresses’ or ‘berms’ and some logs to deflect the section of the river that runs through the Churchyard. This helps reduce bank erosion, improves the flow of the river and creates habitat. When the flow of the river is increased, this then scours the riverbed flushing out settled sediment. Also some of the alder trees on the bank were coppiced to create lighter conditions for the marginal plants to establish. 

Outreach and awareness

On 22^nd June we have the Preshute Primary School reception class visiting the Churchyard. This will be very exciting for them and Emily Best has is going to show the pupils as many inhabiatnts of the Churchyard that are available that day. There is so much wildlife to monitor including what is happening in the Bug Hotel. We are also looking into the right location for an owl box as they have been heard ‘hooting’ nearby.

 All the above is only part of creating an EcoChurch. Thanking God for giving us the earth we live on extends to the ministry and running of the Church. Sermons, prayers and readings that relate to God’s greatest creation are used on a regular basis. We also have to ensure, where possible, that purchases are sustainable, and also recyclable. These thoughts and practices should also be mirrored in our own lives and homes to care for God’s greatest creation.

Please help us achieve our goal of a Gold Award from the Christian environmental charity ARocha and ensure that any information that will help us with our assessment is placed in the brown box underneath the photographs board in the Church.

Linda Morgan and David Beacom

Please click here for the Gold Award Application supporting letter