Volunteers Always WelcomeThe Garden of Remembrance is somewhere peaceful where people can go and remember their loved ones. We are looking for new helpers. If we can share the work this will make the task manageable and enjoyable, spending time outdoors makes us all feel better.We are hoping to make the space wildlife friendly with a mix of evergreen shrubs, flowers, bulbs and herbs.You do not have to be a church goer or have knowledge of gardening or commit to coming along every time. If you would like to express an interest or find out more about what is involved please email heighingtonchurcheco@gmail.comReducing our Carbon FootprintThe St Michael's Church ECO Group was formed in May 2024 with the aim of looking at what our church can do to reduce our carbon footprint and help the environment.We are delighted to be awarded a bronze award by A Rocha which is a national charity.Having such a beautiful building is fantastic but brings challenges and there is a limit to what we can do structurally. However, there are some easy fixes like LED light bulbs, using environmentally consumables etc. We are currently looking at ways to improve the draft-proofing and plan in the longer term to investigate different ways to heat the church.We have also looked at what we can do to increase environmental diversity. We hope to include people from our local community. We plan to include HCREW with building bat boxes, nest boxes and a bee day. Next year we intend to complete surveys of the insects and other wildlife in the churchyard. We have been supported by a grant from the School Trust to help with the cost of materials.If you have any ideas, expertise or are interested in becoming involved please email heighingtonchurcheco@gmail.com.We have made a great start on tidying up the Memorial Garden thanks to the hard work of our volunteers but this is an ongoing process with the re-ordering of the flower beds and improving the fertility of the soil. If you would like to be involved then please email us at heighingtonchurcheco@gmail.com
The churchyard at St Michael’s is now full, and there is no space available for new burials. The PCC has applied to the Ministry of Justice for an Order to close the churchyard to new burials.Closure of the churchyard will not affect:a second burial of a family member into an existing double-depth grave; orthe interment of ashes into an existing grave of a family member.The Garden of Remembrance will remain open, and the interment of ashes there will continue as normal and will not be affected by the proposed closure.The PCC will provide further information as soon as it becomes available.
To Take Part:1 Pick up a Registration Form from the back of church. Post the completed in the red box at the back of church. 2 An email will be sent to you with all the information you need, together with a Sponsorship Form.If you can’t participate on the day, please sponsor someone who will be taking part.On the Day:• Arrive at the Oak Leaf Car Park, Newton Aycliffe, to check in at 10.30 am.• The walk will begin at 11.00 am.• Follow the trackbed of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, arriving at the Locomotion Museum in Shildon at the half-way point – 5 km walked. Here you can rest and have refreshments.• At 1.30 pm begin the return journey. You can choose to retrace your steps to complete a 10 km walk, or take the train back.
Discover fascinating features of the church, hear the stories behind some of the memorials in the churchyard and uncover the hidden meanings of Victorian flowers carved in stone.Presented by Terry and Joan JohnsonSaturday, 19th September at 1.00 pm in St Michael's Church £12.50 with a cream tea includedTickets obtained from Gill Wilson, phone 07767 279763
