Walesby Old Church God’s Acre Project

Annual Report – 2016 The charity ‘Caring for God’s Acre’ has guidance via its website for those wishing

to conserve their churchyard as a haven for wildflowers and wildlife:-

http://www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk/ .

A management plan was drawn up in September 2014 based on the God’s Acre principles and previous surveys of the

churchyard. The management plan, displayed on the Churchyard notice board, includes an aerial view showing

pathways & seating areas, spring flowering sections, summer flowering sections and areas primarily populated by

meadow grasses. This year’s priority has been to remove (by cutting & raking) invasive plants especially hog weed &

docks. Wildflowers have been encouraged to spread by careful timing of strimming to allow seed heads to ripen and

fall before being cut.

This report summarises the work done by volunteers month by month during 2016

Topping the South Hedge in January 2016.

(having lopped this side in January 2015) Snowdrops in February no longer smothered

by overhanging hedge.

Early mowing of West Bank and East end was possible in March enabling meadow

flowers to flourish due to reduced competition from Hogweed and Coarse grasses.

Areas with Celandine and Sweet Violets were left uncut during April and May.

Blackthorn flowered in April Bluebell areas were also left uncut.

on the untrimmed side of the South Hedge

White Deadnettles are a valuable food source for insects like this masonry bee in early May.

In mid-June, Crosswort started to flower

(along with undesirable Hogweed)

In early June, several areas were selectively strimmed to prevent Hog Weed from flowering.

Also in early June, Star of Bethlehem flourished, as did areas of meadow grass.

Yellow Rattle germinated on the West Bank

for the first time.

West Bank had a pleasing display of meadow flowers. Yet-to-flower Knapweed plants, Ladies’ Bedstraw,

etc were protected with posts and tape.

Black Horehound flowering close to seats and church

walls attracted the bees.

There were Star of Bethlehem clusters in several areas

In early July, flowers in SW corner had seeded

and the area was strimmed. Unstrimmed Marsh Thistles opposite the church

porch were popular with bees and insects

The need to ‘weed’ competitive vegetation from East and West hedging was advised during a visit from a

Wolds Countryside Service ‘boundary expert’ (David Rodger). He also recommended management of the

elders which were damaging the Ha-ha wall. This will be a winter job.

In July, Ringlet butterflies were plentiful

on the Meadow Grasses.

Creeping Cinquefoil was found on West Bank

above the Ha-ha

Common Knapweed flowered

on West Bank in August In August, a ‘hay cut’ involving strimming, raking

and subsequent mowing was done in most areas.

Hedge ‘weeding’ West and East boundaries during August reduced competition for saplings.

In September, Ladies’ Bedstraw was flowering and a Field Scabious flower was found.

Leaving perimeter plants to flower provided food for bees, butterflies and insects.

A final cut before winter was in mid-October. Care had to be taken to avoid numerous frogs.

Mycena archangeliana fungus fruited on North side

in November

Stropharia aeruginosa was present on North and East areas

This unidentified Bracket Fungus was again fruiting on

an elder tree

Summary:

The mild winter followed by a season with frequent rainfall resulted in rapid growth of grass

throughout the season. The weather also favoured hogweed germination and growth which

required frequent strimming and chopping down in the worst areas.

Meadow grasses were more prominent than in recent years and meadow flowers spread

especially Common Knapweed and Ladies’ Bedstraw. Yellow Rattle, Creeping Cinquefoil

and Field Scabious were observed for the first time.

Timing of cutting and strimming was as scheduled and cuttings were raked and removed

when appropriate.

Appearance of the whole area during the season received some favourable comments.

The main winter jobs will be to trim the field side of the South hedge for the first time and

cut back the elder trees on the Ha-ha wall which are causing damage.

Although 14 volunteers were involved during the year, most of the work was been carried

out by 8 people. Some preferred to mow or strim, others enjoyed raking or barrowing away.

Each of these operations needs to be on successive days involving 2 or 3 people, rather than

all at once with a larger gang. It would be desirable to have a few more volunteers willing to

be called upon as required.

Fallen Elder tree across Ha-ha Field-side of South hedge overhanging the fence.