Weekly Churchyard Update (13/10)

By Tim Hewitt, St Mary’s Head Gardener/ Community Gardener 

The South Bed is looking ragged now, as the last standing plants continue to be taken out. The Japanese anemones, Cosmos, Symphyotrichum and Chrysanthemum still offer something. Elsewhere, the pot displays are on the cusp of being taken down or put away. This is their last week.

Enjoy the Nerine in flower or about to be, the Cyclamen and the late grasses. Grass needs mowing, but will depend on time and good conditions. Several new people have joined the Burials in Bloom scheme and made good starts.

Quote of the Week

“Horse sense is a good judgement which keeps horses from betting on people.” –W.C Fields

Workshops at St Mary’s

I am planning a series of two-hour paid workshops, bookable on Eventbrite, costing £35. There will be 10 spaces for each workshop. While many of our offerings will be free over the next several years as part of our National Lottery-funded ‘Creative Church’ regeneration project and activities, these will not be part of my Lottery-funded sessions, but might be of interest to the congregation and local community. They will all take place in the churchyards and the St Mary’s Welcome Centre.

Paid workshops confirmed so far:

Volunteer Times

St Mary’s offers weekly supervised volunteering in the churchyard at these times:

Tuesdays: 1pm to 3.30pm
Wednesdays: 9am to 12pm
Thursdays: 1pm to 4pm
Fridays: 1pm to 4pm

There’s no need to book; just turn up, preferably with your own gloves. Tools and expert instruction will be provided!

Burials in Bloom 2021-22 

Dozens of local people have adopted a grave to plant around and care for; if you would like to adopt a grave that’s currently not visited or looked after, contact me at tim@stmaryswalthamstow.org.