David Oates made an interesting and informative presentation on Sunday 14th January 2024 to the congregation concerning opportunities for the planting of trees as part of our strategy for Eco Church and CNZ and as importantly helping with our commitment to help protect the environment, adding small areas to provide new spaces for local wildlife. Your church has teamed up with Betterworld - https://betterworldtreeplanting.co.uk/ , a Non-profit organisation, founded by David Oates, with the aims of planting native British tree species to help combat climate change, help your church mitigate the impact of its carbon footprint in a fun and informative way. Betterworld searches for available land via partners, fund raises and helps to organise volunteers. Anyone can donate, as little as £3 for one tree. Tree planting days are publicised and the more volunteers the merrier. When a donation of £30 is received the donor receives a certificate of thanks. Individuals can have a tree planted as a birthday present or to celebrate a special anniversary. If you are unable to attend or plant the tree a picture is taken for you and the location advised. The aim here is to continue to plant as locally as possible. In 2023 Betterworld assisted raised funds to plant a thousand trees , and has already raised funds to plant 2,500 more with sites selected. Tree Planting dates advised so far are Saturday 3rd February 9:30Saturday 17th February 9:30 Saturday 2nd March 9:30 Saturday 16th March 9:30 Saturday 23rd March 9:30 St. John's aims to raise £45 to plant 10 fruit trees in the village. David says ' If anyone has or knows of some spare land in the village or nearby it would be great to hear from you, you can contact via the Warden's team or leave a note in church for the attention of David Oates'
Recently we had another 'church tidy' morning where as well as a spring clean inside we located the old font to one side of the steps leading to the front door of your church. While we had some professional help in moving the font it sparked discussions about whether to bury it or locate it so it could be decorated, on that Saturday morning it was decided to raise it so that the carving in the stone could be seen before adding some flowers. Thanks to two of our very enthusiastic team the font has now been filled with some pansies and aubretia, it's a lovely sight as you enter church. We have more plans so do come along and join in when you can.
