NATURE GARDEN
January 2011
The old rose garden on the north side of the cemetery was very overgrown. The surrounding Rhododendron hedges were cut down to a manageable size and the middle section cleared of large weeds.
The area was then used for the big Bird count in 2011
Rosemary conducted a RSPB 1 hour bird count on Saturday
The Birds counted in the 1 hour were 3 blackbirds, 12 blue tits, 7 carion crows, 1 chaffinch, 4 great tits, 2 magpies,
7 robins, 8 woodpigeon and 1 wren.
June 2011 – Start of the Nature Garden
In 2011 the Friends applied for a £10,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund.
This was granted and the Friends started to develop the area to attract wildlife and be able to be used as an outdoor classroom for the local primary schools.
The Friends, led by Mick Walsh, decided to build a dry stone seat. The stone was recycled from grave kerb sets removed when graves have been restored.
Our wall gets bigger (little by little)
With money from the Lottery grant we started making the Stone Chair in the Nature Garden.
September 2011 – Our Dry Stone Wall Seat is Completed
Earlier this month we completed the Dry Stone Wall Seat in the Nature Garden.
Congratulations to Mick Walsh and the team who have managed to build the seat from nothing but recycled Stone from around the Cemetery, the cost to make was next to nothing apart from some grazed fingers.
Well Done!!
January 2012 – Our Nature Garden is looking good
February 2012 – The Model of the Nature Garden Dry Wall Seat goes up for Auction
The fantastic model that Mick Walsh made to show how the Dry Stone Seat would look like when finished in the Nature Garden is going up for Auction to raise money for FODC.
Mick has been so kind in donating the model, the model goes under the hammer on Saturday 6th July at the 70s 80s Disco Night being
held at the Bridge Street Sports & Social Club, formerly the ICI Club.
April 2012 – Opening of the Nature Garden
Over 60 people attended the official opening of the FODC Award for All Nature Garden on Saturday 28th April 2012.
The BwD Mayor Coun. Karimah Foster unvieed the boulder plaque and commented on the the exhaustive work of the FODC volunteers.
The sun shone and everyone enjoyed the occasion. Several guests attended including the new head teacher of Darwen Vale High School, Mrs. Fiona Jack attended and was amazed at the progress and commitment of the residents.
Later in the afternoon, FODC Rosemary Jackson and Chairman John East escorted Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry around the cemetery to show off the work of the volunteers.
John East said, “The opening went very well and we congratulate all the FODC for making such a difference to the cemetery. We have reached another milestone of development and look forward to further challenges and partnerships.”
Photos courtesy of Roy Cox