Hamish's Patch

Hamish's Patch (named after a former member of the church who inspired us to do this) is part of the churchyard  set aside to encourage biodiversity.  Wildflowers in this part of the churchyard include snowdrops and primroses in spring, then yarrow, self-heal, dandelions, speedwell .... all of them an excellent source of nectar for bees.  Nettles and brambles provide food for butterflies and caterpillars - the ringlet, red admiral, peacock ....   Piles of dead branches provide a habitat for slowworms, insects, and other small fauna, the basis of many essential food chains.

In late summer then the flowers have set seed, the hay is cut and cleared, and Hamish's Patch is mowed along with the rest of the churchyard.