The Secret Life of the Churchyard

In order to counter the criticism of my blog about r cemetery, I began to think about this project which I have been preparing for over a year and which show the different sorts of life one might find in churchyards.

These places are alive with animal life, plant life and simply things that grow such a lichens. I even dropped in at a conference where such things were being discussed.

We may as well start with the animals. Some walk in through the gate, others emerge from the undergrowth and yet others pop up from the ground beneath your feet.

I always assumed flowers in churchyards referred to the ones one put on graves. What a mistake! There are hundreds if not thousands of different wild flowers just so long as you look in the right place at the appropriate time of year.

People who know about these things also tell me that the gravestones themselves are a source of “being!” Lichen. It’s not something one naturally thinks about – but even that staining on the stones may, in fact growing. What a discovery!

Celebrating all of this a few weeks ago I happened on a conference which was organised by the Norfolk Churches Trust, The Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the Diocese of Norwich celebrating local churchyards as centres of biodiversity and conservation. The main speaker was the Bishop of Norwich. All the relevant institutions were of course present.

Just in case you think his photographer gets everywhere (in your heart of hearts you doubt if that is true) only this week I received a report that there might have been a kestrel nesting, earlier in the year of course, at the top of this church tower. So drone and I had a look – see for yourself – nothing! Of course it could all have blown away. But again the possibility reinforces the point that many birds of prey enjoy the remoteness of church towers. They also serve as a good observation places which cuts down flying time.

Some years ago I was a little luckier at Cromer with a peregrine falcon.

Time for me to fly – back next week – more earthy things!

My thanks to Susan Wharfe who took the photograph of the badger – that and the image of the “lords and ladies” were kindly supplied by Dr Tony Leech