Eco Church working party at All Saints CofE Church, Appley BridgeWe are moving towards the Silver Eco award from the A Rocha Eco Church Awards scheme, and on Sunday June 25th a large group of the church family and friends did a massive job in the churchyard, including tree husbandry, grave plot refurbishment, wildlife refuge building, bird box installation, raised bed creation and planting fruit bushes along the boundary fence line. This was followed by a well timed picnic lunch in church as the rain came hammering down.Thanks to everyone who took part. Thanks also to Sarah Mapple for the photographs, David Mapple for generous donation of essentials for the work: Crisps, Biscuits and Water Bottles, and Mark Atherton for the essential spade!The work was done according to the principles of the A Rocha scheme, namely Being Good Stewards of God’s Earth.1. Reduce wasteHome made compost was used, donated water butts installation started (to reduce mains water used for watering plants etc)2. ReuseOld food containers have been used to grow blackcurrant, blackberry and raspberry plants to form a new hedge line on the boundary, also used for growing herbs for the raised beds.3. RecycleTwo donated nest boxes installed on churchyard trees.4. MeasureWe increased biodiversity by providing new homes for plants and animals: the habitats are logpile, scrub (uncut) grass, mown grass, shady areas under trees, a new rockery, and a new raised bed.