EcoChurch, Churchyard and Conservation Zone
St. Matthew’s Churchyard started life in the early 1800’s, so is a relatively newcomer, but nevertheless has an important collection of meadow grasses and plants.
The story of our Conservation Area began in 2013, when two areas of the Churchyard were designated as Conservation Areas, one on the North and one on the South side of the Church with our main focus being on the South Side. Our initial surveys in 2013/2014 reported the area as one of the best herb rich meadows and since 2014 we have seen an increase in different wild flowers appearing amongst the meadow grasses. During this time also, 8 bird boxes were fitted in the trees.
Maintaining and managing our Conservation Area includes various aspects, such as cutting and gathering of the grass each year in the late Summer. We know what an effort it is to ‘rake up’ and are grateful to our team of loyal volunteers who answer to the ‘Rake up Call’.
Over the years, several factors have arisen, including our involvement in the ‘Caring for God’s Acre’ Project – a three year project launched in 2020 across the Diocese of Swansea & Brecon, St. David’s and St. Asaph called ‘Biodiversity Hotspots in Wales’. This was funded by Natural Resources Wales and is helping biodiversity in churchyards. We were fortunate to be included in this project. This created a lot of interest locally. As a result our churchyard had a detailed survey and report during early Summer 2021. One piece of advice was to reduce the conservation area and split it into four sections. This layout allows for the development of four areas with differing care demands, since different plants, flowers and grasses benefit from being cut at different times of the year and also the layout allows closer access for the public to have a better view of nature’s work and to benefit from the calm and solitude the churchyard offers. Hopefully in the future we may install some seating in the centre of the Conservation area, close to or under the tree.
Eirlys Jones and Gerald Shone
