Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Green Scene’ for the Western Mail
2nd July 2022
Living Churchyards
Last week I mentioned that I had had a lovely evening giving an interactive talk to Gavenny Gardening Club. This week I wanted to share a bit about the special venue. It was at St Teilo’s Church in Llantilio Pertholey, Abergavenny (NP7 6NU) and whilst the Church itself is very beautiful, it is the grounds that I particularly want to share.
The graveyard has been developed into a Living Churchyard. Now that contradiction of terms appealed to me straight away and talking to the driving force behind the project, Maurice Rolls, the whole concept is very appealing. Basically, the churchyard is being managed in a way that is sympathetic to wildlife. This includes some areas being left to grow organically during the summer months and allowing plants to bloom and go to seed before being cut and cleared.
It is such a great idea and adds another lovely dimension to this tranquil spot. Anther point of interest is the wonderful wooden crosses, carved by Ant Beetlestone, and the corresponding wildflowers that will take you on a ‘Walk through the Bible’. The details are fascinating and are written up on a leaflet at the entrance.
Local school children have been able to do their nature studies in the Living Churchyard, a little ironically adding much vibrancy and energy to the spot, and yet it still remains a wonderfully peaceful place to sit and contemplate too. It is just so uplifting to see a normally sombre green space associated with great sadness being so wonderfully utilised. Well done to all involved and let’s hope it is something that can be replicated locally.
Do visit – you won’t be disappointed.
Love Yews
Something that I always associate with churchyards – and there is a very fine specimen at St Teilo’s – is the Yew tree. I spent a bit of time several years ago visiting as many as I could in the area. We have an unusual amount of ancient yews and they are all staggeringly be-yew-tiful (couldn’t help myself). Many people think that yew trees were planted in graveyards, as they thrived on corpses and provided wood to make excellent bows. Being in churchyards prevented archers from procuring suitable branches and therefore having lethal ammunition. It is more widely thought, however, that churches were often built on the site of existing yew trees as they had a sacred role before the rise of Christianity.
Since the early 90s the bark, branch tips, and needles of the yew have been uses to make the medicine, Paclitaxel (Taxol), a prescription drug for the treatment of certain types of cancer. I remember cutting yew hedges with Dad 30 years ago – we would bag up the clippings and they would be collected for the much need research. A little ironic that he died from cancer in the mid 90s – I always remember thinking that wasn’t much of a ‘thank you’.
The author, Fred Hageneder, wrote in his book ‘Yew, a History’, “In botanical terms, yew is a mass of contradictions. It is a conifer which bears scarlet ‘berries’ with sweet juicy pulp instead of cones. It is highly poisonous in all its parts except the red fruit pulp.”
There is a tremendous amount of folklore and ‘magic’ surrounding yew trees – possibly fuelled by the fact that it has recently been discovered that on hot days yew trees secrete a gas called taxine, which produces hallucinatory effects when inhaled. There is just no end to nature’s talent.
Please Give a Hoot
I spent a wonderful morning at the Owl Sanctuary at Ebbw Vale last week. I first visited about 10 years ago, and Malcolm and some of his fantastic birds were also neighbours to my Bee Friendly Show Garden at an RHS Show in Cardiff a couple of years later. I was motivated to revisit them as I had read that the original entrance to the public, through the Festival Park site, had been closed (along with the shopping precinct) and as a result their visitor numbers had dropped significantly.
The sanctuary is free to visit and relies on donations and the most remarkable volunteers to stay open. It is an absolute gem of a place nestled in the hillside and currently home to 67 birds. Most have been rescued, some from the wild but most from people who bought the birds as pets and soon realised how foolish and irresponsible they had been. Birds of prey and owls are not designed to be pets – as many people have found out. Thankfully Malcolm has been on hand to take these birds in and quite frankly deserves a medal for what he has achieved, with the help and support of his wife Pat. There is a saying, “Behind every successful man is a strong, hardworking woman.” I don’t think I have ever seen a better example.
There are about 17 different breeds of birds to see and are all obviously incredibly happy and content. Jo and her team of volunteers are happy to tell you all about each bird and to bring them out into the viewing area where you can admire them close up. Jo’s bird knowledge is remarkable (although she credits Malcolm for it) and do please ask her to do her owl impression. She doesn’t even know how she does it but hearing her literally ‘talk’ with the owls is just heart warming. As Jo said, (as she cwtched up the two baby Eagle owls), “I never ever go home from her in a bad mood.” I’m not surprised. It is such an uplifting, educational and magical place, we are so lucky to have it in Blaenau Gwent – although sadly, it seems to be one of those places that are so very much undervalued in the area.
The sanctuary is always grateful for donations – you can donate at www.gofundme.com/f/owl-sanctuary-festival-park, use the card machine on site or pop a cheque in the post. Thank you. They are always looking for reliable volunteers and would also really appreciate lots of practical help from tradesmen and/or skilled/capable people. There is so much maintenance required for upkeep of the aviaries and walkways and even the trees need crown raising – any tree surgeons who could give a day in exchange for limitless tea and coffee, knowing you’ve helped the birds, and some of the best stories ever?
Access is now via alongside the fishing lakes (signposted off of Cwm Road A4046), continue through the 5 bar gate, up the hill and follow the signs. You are guaranteed a warm welcome and a marvellous experience with these fabulous people and fine birds. More details at www.theowlsanctuary.co.uk
And I can’t help sharing that when I mentioned this to a friend, he said, “We’ve got a couple of owls. We keep them in the kitchen.”
“Really?” I replied, “I had no idea ….”
”Yes”, he said, “Tea t-owls.”
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