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The wildlife Garden situated in the North West corner of the Churchyard |
| The Fred Green Wildlife Garden | ||
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The wildlife Garden situated in the North West corner of the Churchyard |
| The idea of developing a wildlife garden in the
churchyard at St. Mary Magdalene, Hucknall began during the summer of 2001 when
the Church registered with Eco-Congregation.
Plans were drawn with the help of Ashfield and Mansfield Groundwork and Nottinghamshire Wildlife. Funding was successfully applied for from Powergen with smaller grants being made available from Groundwork and Nottinghamshire Wildlife. The churchyard is consecrated land and permission was sought from the Southwell Diocese by way of a Faculty. The churchyard is closed for burials and is maintained by Ashfield District Council and their consent was also obtained. The initial phase of the practical work began at the beginning of February with the land being cleared. The willing hands were provided by members of the Doves Youth Group,and parishioners, and the turf was removed by members of the 2nd Hucknall Scouts. It took many hours to prepare the land and build the raised central bed, but the day at last arrived when planting could commence. The two main beds were planted on Saturday April 13th 2002. The raised bed was planted by children from the National Junior School on Monday April 29th. Some of the plants were provided by Greenwood to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Greenwood, Nottinghamshire's Community Forest. Bird and Bat boxes have been placed around the churchyard, and these have been made by participants on the Young Offenders Programme, where the participants are encouraged to make items that are beneficial to the community. The garden was officially opened on June 1st 2002, the start of National Wildlife Week, by the Ven. Nigel Peyton, Archdeacon of Newark and Erin McDaid of Nottinghamshire Wildlife. Throughout the initial planning phase and the early development of the garden, much support and encouragement was given by the Rector, Father Fred Green. Sadly he lost his battle against lung cancer before the garden was planted, but as a living testament to his work for St. Mary Magdalene and the people of Hucknall the decision was taken to name the garden in his memory. The aim of the project was to develop an urban wildlife garden in the churchyard in order to attract wildlife, but also to act as an outreach, both to local schools and the local population who now use the church grounds as a thoroughfare and a peaceful oasis in the middle of a busy town. |
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