Concert showcases local talent and raises funds for church heating.On the evening of Saturday, 2 November, St Hilda’s Church came alive with music as local musicians took to the stage for a concert filled with talent and variety, each bringing their own unique sounds across a mix of genres and instruments, providing an entertaining and uplifting evening for the 40+ guests that attended.The concert was free to attend and was organised to raise funds for St Hilda’s newly installed eco heating system. This upgrade allows the church to host concerts, services, and other gatherings in comfort through the colder months. Thanks to the generosity of attendees, donations from the concert raised around £350 toward the heating fund. A huge thank you to everyone involved—the talented performers, organisers, and the supportive audience members who made the night a success.For those who missed the event or would like to contribute further, donations to the heating fund can still be made [here] and if you follow us on Facebook and Instagram, you can view more photos from the concert.Read more about our new heating here.
Green your home. Combat climate change and reduce heating costs by identifying and sealing draughts around your home. Find the gaps that let the cold air in and warm air out (think keyholes, letterboxes, cracks around the edges or bottoms of windows and doors, loft hatches, floorboards, etc.) and fix these gaps using the correct materials and online tutorials. Additionally, place foil or radiator panels to reflect heat into your room. Pray for those who might be experiencing the cold this winter.Explore practical ways to enjoy, nurture and defend God’s creation with Wild Christian. Sign up for the Wild Christian newsletter for regular updates, support, advice and ideas.
The grounds of St Hilda's Church now boast a new bug hotel and two bee hotels, generously donated by Paul and Elaine Carrington. These additions were unveiled as part of an initiative to enhance the church’s support for native wildlife, providing crucial shelter and breeding spaces for solitary bees and other beneficial insects.Following the recent Harvest Festival service, children from the Brownies and Rainbows, along with other young congregation members, took part in an activity to cover the top of the main bug hotel with soil and scatter wildflower seeds. This effort aims to foster a rich habitat for pollinators and other insects in need of safe shelter. View photos from the service.The new bug and bee hotels are located at the bottom right of the field. Alongside existing bird boxes, these additions reflect St Hilda's commitment to encouraging biodiversity on its land, with a focus on providing a sanctuary for native species.Further enhancing this effort, bat boxes are also set to be installed in the coming weeks, again thanks to the support of Paul Carrington.The church encourages all visitors to report any sightings of the invasive Asian hornet, which threatens local ecosystems. Reports can be made via the Asian Hornet Watch App, available on both Android and iPhone, through an online notification form, or by emailing alertonnative@ceh.ac.uk. Please include a photo and the sighting location when reporting.St Hilda’s continues its dedication to fostering a biodiverse and environmentally friendly space, inviting the community to witness the growth of these new wildlife habitats.
Here’s A Rocha’s suggestions for how to contribute to wildlife conservation this month.- Clean bird feeders to prevent diseases spreading to winter migrants. - Install a nest box well before breeding season to provide a cosy retreat for small birds during cold winter nights. - Prepare to support more birds next year, with more tips on the A Rocha website.As you observe the local birds reflect on this verse, ‘I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.’ Psalm 50:11. Explore practical ways to enjoy, nurture and defend God’s creation with Wild Christian. Sign up for the Wild Christian newsletter for regular updates, support, advice and ideas.
