Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2009/January 2010 | Page 69

COUNTRYSIDE, WILDLIFE & FARMING life God's acres to be saved... I have always admired our local church the array of native wildlife the social and owners of the site. They will work with graveyard with its colourful display of local history that can be gleaned from other interested individuals and groups spring bulbs. Especially the way that the headstones it is no wonder that many to assist in looking after the local burial John Wavell, the gardener cuts areas of people are fascinated by these places. A ground. This scheme covers all burial long grass, waits for it to dry and then place of death and remembrance, and a grounds, including municipal cemeteries racks it up. Not doing too much at once, space for heritage and wildlife. and churchyards, subject to the owner’s therefore maintaining a mix of habitats On the Isle of Wight the Footprint permission. for the insects that occupy this important Trust has launched a Cemetery Warden space. scheme thanks to support from Heritage faiths, or none, to take part in this on Lottery funded West Wight Landscape going project. All those completing this Partnership. free training course will be volunteers of So I was pleased to learn of a new scheme spearheaded by the Footprint Trust… Church graveyards and municipal Those wishing to train and become Cemetery Wardens will have an interest The scheme welcomes people of all the Footprint Trust and insured by them. If you have an interest in burial grounds cemeteries are a window into the past. in nature conservation, the landscape, please contact the Footprint Trust for They are often one of the last remaining heritage and the community – as this more details or find the leaflet in your habitats of rare wildflowers including scheme intends to seek to bring together local library. [email protected] orchids. An array of bird, bat and insect these diverse concerns. Tel: [phone]. life can be found. Butterflies are known Cemetery Wardens will act as to benefit from the ivy and long meadow ambassadors for burial grounds, seeking grasses. Venerable majestic trees such as to inform, educate and involve the oak, yew and beech can be seen. Add to local community and working with the 69