The Caring for God's Acre Lifelong Learning Project 

The Caring for God's Acre project was originally set up six years ago, its aim being to encourage churchyard conservation. Set in the Shropshire Hills, Caring for God's Acre covers the whole of the Hereford Diocese and has three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty within its boundaries. Using a three-year revenue grant of £86,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, as well as funding obtained from the Ernest Cook Trust and the Rowlands Trust, Caring for God's Acre is about to launch an exciting, new project known as the Lifelong Learning Project. This project, which should be up and running by March 2003, will enable local churchyards to be studied and surveyed in much greater depth. 

Churchyards have high educational value, both historically and ecologically. The lychgates, preaching crosses and memorials found in churchyards are of great historical and architectural interest. But churchyards are also a peaceful haven for wildlife, containing old and distinctive trees, wildflowers, meadow grasses, lichens, rare fungi, mosses and ferns and provide food and shelter for many animals including small mammals, amphibians, slow worms, insects and birds. The Lifelong Learning Project will enable people, especially local school children, to learn about the history of their local church and to appreciate its wildlife. 

A Lifelong Learning Organiser will soon be appointed to oversee the project. Working three days a week for the next three years, the organiser will prepare and deliver a series of 'training days and courses' to local community groups, schools, naturalists, historians and other groups interested in churchyard care. These training sessions will focus on many aspects of churchyard management, including veteran trees and tree care. Veteran trees, particularly ancient yew trees, are frequently found in churchyards. For example, the St John the Baptist Church at Hope Bagot has an ancient yew growing in its churchyard just above a Holy Well. This tree known as 'The Sacred Yew' is said to be over 1600 years old. By providing special training and information on veteran trees, the Lifelong Learning Project aims to raise awareness and interest in ancient tree conservation and management. 

Caring for God's Acre also funds churchyard tree surveys in the Diocese of Hereford. These surveys are carried out annually by volunteers and help to keep trees in a safe and healthy condition. For more information on this, refer to the CFGA Action Pack, available from Sue Cooper at: CFGA, The Verger's House, The Priory, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 8EQ. Tel: 01568 611154 (Office open Mon/Tues 9-30 am to 4-30pm). Email: cfgauk@hotmail.com. To obtain a copy, please send a cheque for £10.00, payable to 'Caring for God's Acre'. For more information on CFGA, visit their web site at: http://www.greengate.org.uk/chg./ggcfga.htm.