The ‘Living Churchyard’ - November

by Nigel Symington

I have to start by extending an enormous ‘thank you’ to all those who have helped cut and rake the churchyard this year. It’s always quite a big job, as all the hay that is cut has to be raked off and removed in order to reduce the fertility of the soil. In past years we have removed about 3 large bags of hay, but this September, thanks to a cool wet summer, we removed 11 1⁄2 bags. So huge thanks to Hugh, Gabriella, Carola, Jamie and Lizzie for all your help during the year.

But good as this summer may have been for growing hay, for butterflies and day-flying moths it has been the worst year on record. The results of the Big Butterfly Count, which runs for 3 weeks in July and August, showed that the overall number of butterflies recorded per count was at its lowest level since the Count began 12 years ago. Butterflies and moths are important indicators of the health of the environment: if their numbers decline, then so will the numbers of other, less visible species, so a decline in abundance is a serious cause for concern. The facts are clear. Nature is in crisis and we need urgent action, not just to prevent further species losses but to rebuild biodiversity, upon which all life depends, including, ultimately, that of the human race.

November sees the COP 26 conference, in which world leaders meet to agree action to turn the tide on climate change. But it’s not just governments that need to act: we all need to take whatever measures we can to change the way we look after our land and seas and how we grow our food. Whether future generations look back at this time with admiration or despair depends entirely on our ability to seize this moment.

At the time of the oil crisis of the 1970’s, oil producers were keen to point out that the stone age didn’t come to an end because the world ran out of stone. It is now up to all of us to make sure that the Anthropocene epoch doesn’t come to an end because the world runs out of people.

…….. and on this cheerful note, your correspondent is now going into hibernation until the Spring.