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St Edward’s Wildlife Refuge - what we achieved
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St Edward’s Wildlife Refuge - what we achieved
Location: Wiltshire
What was achieved by the successfully completed St Edward’s Wildlife Refuge project, and the lasting effects it has had in the community.
This project began as a millennium initiative by a small group of people living near the former churchyard of St Edward’s in the Wiltshire village of Winterbourne Dauntsey. An overgrown field behind a hedge was transformed into a wildlife refuge, an outdoor classroom for local schoolchildren studying natural history, and an attractive stopping-point on one of the more popular walking routes round the village.
The original focus was on the practical restoration and conservation of a wrought iron gateway and railings, and several stone memorials, including box tombs and headstones, that had deteriorated or been damaged.
Volunteers did much of the preparation of the site. A sycamore tree was felled, and its main trunk sawn down to create a log pile providing a natural habitat for reptiles and insects. Invasive hawthorn, ivy, grass and weeds were carefully cleared from the tombs and railings.
Work on the important artefacts required professional expertise. A local blacksmith replaced the wrought iron gate at the churchyard entrance, and restored the wrought iron work round a set of two box tombs. Salisbury Cathedral Works Department restored damaged tombs, and some headstones that had been in danger of cracking off.
Volunteers laid marker stones to indicate the corners of the churchyard, making it possible to see the footprint of the long-demolished church building, which had been completely lost. To ensure that the gate would continue to open, and help to prevent future rotting, they dug out underneath and laid grass grid blocks. A seat was provided to encourage visitors to stop and stare.
Official responsibility for the upkeep of the churchyard reverted to the parish council, but the project group continued to help look after the churchyard. In summer they cut walkways through the background grass to allow visitors to walk around the landmark 650-year-old yew tree, wildflowers, shrubs and stones. Each autumn, they organised annual working parties for necessary maintenance such as trimming mature hedges and clearing ivy.
As an integral part of the village’s millennium activities, the project stimulated interest in local history and natural heritage, and gave relative newcomers an opportunity to become directly involved in the community.
To complement the restoration works, volunteers gathered information about the archaeology, history and wildlife of the site, which was made available on a specially-made interpretation board in the churchyard, on a website, and on leaflets distributed through the local post office and Salisbury Tourist Centre.
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