St Cuthbert’s Wild Gardeners

St Cuthbert’s Wild Gardeners was formed as a result of discussions in our Justice and Peace group around how to increase biodiversity in the grounds of our church. Inspired by Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Sí on Care for our Common Home, and aiming to bring together people from all churches and none, we have identified areas that could be enhanced for nature while providing a resource for education and general wellbeing.

In October 2025 work began on the pond in the presbytery garden. It was in a sad state of disrepair; the liner had decayed and no longer held water. With the aid of a projects officer and a team of enthusiastic volunteers from Durham Wildlife Trust the old liner was removed, the pond was enlarged, a new liner with underlay was installed, and the flow of water from a downpipe on the presbytery building was redirected into the pond. Work continues on the landscaping and planting for the pond and surrounding area.

Plans for the future include the development of an area adjacent to the St Cuthbert’s Centre, where there is an expanse of lawn and a silver birch tree; the ‘Peace Tree’, which forms the focal point of outdoor liturgies for peace and the Season of Creation. We hope to establish an informal hedge of native species around the perimeter. Having experimented with a restrictive mowing routine in the area behind the tree, we are now considering other alternatives, possibly establishing a small orchard of native fruit trees.

We are keen to reach out to the local community, and build links with St Cuthbert’s School. Current proposals include a bioblitz to record the species currently present, and to monitor biodiversity in the future. With the help of the Wildlife Trust, we could organise bird and bat box making workshops, develop a bug hotel and plan activities such as bird watching and pond dipping.

Being a small group, we are taking this one step at a time, while aiming at low maintenance solutions. We hope that our efforts will provide a lasting legacy both for our parish and for the surrounding area.

We are grateful to the Caritas Hexham and Newcastle fund for financing the first phase of our work, and to Councillor Adrian Schulman for a Durham County Council Councillor Small Grant to take us forward into 2026. Thanks are also due to John Hayton of Durham Wildlife Trust and the brilliant volunteers who enabled us to get started. Anyone wishing to join our group would be most welcome.