Pupils at St John’s Primary Academy in Coleford have been getting their hands dirty and growing plants and vegetables at a new after-school gardening club. The club was set up by Pioneer Lay Reader Mark Bick, using funds from a diocesan grant as part of wider community engagement work. It is a part of the ongoing partnership between the school and Mid-Wyedean Parish.go here for full article
The Friends of Newland Church is an independent charity from Mid-Wyedean Churches. They support the church building and grounds in many different way, such as fund-raising, keeping the churchyard looking beautiful and organising events such as outdoor theatre. To find out more, please go to their website, https://www.allsaintsnewland.com, where you can find details about who to contact to get involved and taking part of the living history of this ancient church.(Photo credit: Rachel Reeves, 2022)
Cygnets 2 Swans is a youth drama group meeting EVERY SUNDAY FROM 2 to 4 pm at COLEFORD BAPTIST CHURCH. There are lots of opportunities to get involved from set and lighting design, costume and make-up, to live performances with singing and dancing. Let your imagination take flight!Contact Matt for more information at theuglyducklingteam@gmail.com
Ground nesting bees and evidence of badgers have been found in Clearwell Cemetery.(You can learn more about Tree Bumblebees from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust's website: https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/white-tailed-bumblebees/tree-bumblebee/ and badgers from the Wildlife Trusts: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/mammals/european-badger)Location: towards the end of the cemetery on the left-hand side of the path.We have been made aware of some tree bumblebees that have taken up residence in an old rabbit warren. As a result of this, we called out Forest of Dean Pest Control, who inspected the site thoroughly, and have advised us that it is not possible either to move or exterminate the bees. Removal would normally entail digging out the hive and relocating. Because of its location in an extensive rabbit warren, this is not possible in this case.Extermination needs to be complete, if it is not to make matters worse. Again, because of the location in a rabbit warren, attempts to exterminate are likely to be incomplete, agitate the remaining bees and therefore make matters worse. Small numbers of occasional visitors to the cemetery should not be alarmed by this situation, as the bees are not normally bothered by the presence of humans. In the case of a funeral and large numbers of people being present at one time, we will be liaising with the relevant funeral director to communicate the situation to those who may be in attendance.The area will be fenced off for the next few weeks while the bees are expected to be there.FROM FOD Pest Control report: 29/6/2023“No Action has been taken due to:• the Tree Bumble Bees (Bombus Hypnorum) being in such a large area that spreads across several graves• the European badger (Meles meles) has found them and there is then a very high risk of non-target species poisoning of a protected species (the European badger (Meles meles) is protected by English Law). So in conclusion, no treatment is possible.Recommendation"Area to be cordoned off and clergy and guests to be made aware off the Tree Bumble Bees (Bombus Hypnorum) and that you at the Parish Office of the Mid-Wyedean Churches, have done all that is possible.”Reverend Sarah BickVicar, Mid-Wyedean Churches
