05/2019
May the 4th is apparently International Star Wars Day (May the 4th be with you!) but it was also the date of our first rake of the churchyard this year.
You may have noticed that only part of the churchyard has been cut. This is the section we are managing as a summer meadow, so cutting it now should allow later flowering plants to have a chance to come through. Raking the cuttings is important as it reduces the fertility of the soil and so helps favour species of wild flower and grasses that are outcompeted by more virulent species that thrive on nutrient-rich soils. It also reduces thatching and improves the overall appearance of the cut areas.
We had a very healthy number of volunteers and had finished raking as well as consuming assorted beverages and apple cake by lunchtime. We also had our first volunteer prize draw – congratulations to the winner Charlotte Lancaster! We have also installed two small panels explaining that the churchyard is being managed for wildlife in partnership with Living Churchyards and Cornwall Wildlife Trust.
The other section of the churchyard has been left to allow the spring flowering plants to finish, and will be cut before the hogweed has a chance to spread. It is gratifying to see that our efforts from last year have already made a difference – last year there were only a handful of individual Cardamine pratensis (Cuckooflower, Lady’s smock or Milkmaids depending on your provenance!), important as a food source for the Orange-tip butterfly. This year while not quite yet abundant, there is a very healthy population over a wider area, which is a good indicator of conditions improving.
We have more work to do including the provision of access to visited graves, but are optimistic that we have a sustainable way forward working with Cormac. The next rake will be in June when the spring meadow will be cut – watch out for dates and times through our Facebook page (South Petherwin Cake and Rakers) or email spcakeandrakers@gmail.com for more information.
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