Valentine's Day is for the birds!

Richard Combe, our Church Warden responsible for the development of the wildlife project in the Churchyard, had a surprise Valentine’s present last week. His article in the Hereford Times on the 14th, resulted in a very generous gift from Mrs Anne Rayer, a Hereford resident. In the article Richard had asked for volunteers to help build more bird boxes for the project. However, Anne had other ideas – a gift of no less than 13 ready-made boxes in all styles and colours. Thank you so much Anne.

Last week was National Nesting Box Week (14th – 21st February) and it turned out to be a good week to start putting up boxes in the Stoke Lacy Churchyard. Andrew Nixon of Herefordshire Wildlife Trust visited advise on how to develop the area around the church identifying the best siting for the nesting boxes. Andrew is pictured putting up the first box in one of several big old trees in the churchyard.

The conservation project forms part of the Heritage Lottery funded project to repair the steeple and roof of the church of St Peter and St Paul in Stoke Lacy. Churchwardens are very grateful to Andrew and Herefordshire Wildlife Trust for his help and advice, and also to Mrs Rayer for her generous contribution.