Extracts from the latest Newsletter
Hampstead Parish Churchyard is being given a top to toe makeover thanks to a grant of £324,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project started in July 2009 and is being delivered by Camden Council in partnership with Hampstead Parish Church.
The improvements to this picturesque churchyard include new footpaths and restoration work to its gravestones. The site has been open to the community with a variety of exciting events, including practical conservation sessions and wildlife walks.
Contractor’s work: Richard Griffiths Architects and DBR Company were commissioned by Camden Council to deliver the Capital works. A total of 98 listed and unlisted tombstones have been repaired and 420 metres of paths laid. Other restoration work included repairs to the Boundary wall in the old churchyard and the Columbarium in the Additional Burial Ground
The project was also an opportunity to build a new secure fence between the ABG and Hampstead Parochial School.
Schools: We have engaged over a 1000 school children in a variety of educational activities. Our sessions are carefully adapted to contribute to specific learning outcomes in the National Curriculum; subjects covered include Local History, Victorians, Geography, Habitats and other.
If you are a teacher, please book your visit!
Also, children from the Hampstead Parochial school have helped to plant the wonderful sensory gardens in the courtyard by the main entrance.
If you visit the ABG you might spot some Bug Hotels made by the pupils from Hampstead Parochial and the International Community School.
Plant Galls: Plant galls are rather strange, abnormal growths that can be found on plants, particularly trees. They can occur on all part of the plant but are most often found on the leaves and stems. They come in a variety of shapes: some simple, some familiar, some very bizarre. They are produced under the influence of an invading organism: Insects, Mites, fungi, bacteria and viruses. The invader is able to re-direct the plants resources for its own benefit, to its special creation- the gall. Although this is a form of parasitism, in the main, the plant is not harmed too much by it. Insect galls tend to be the most elaborate and can be formed by many insect types, particularly tiny flies and wasps. Look out for some of the unusual growths on Oak. These are caused by tiny gall wasps call Cynipids- producing very bizarre shapes. [These are illustrated in the full newsletter available at the back of the church – if you’re really curious!]
Wildlife surveys and conservation work; by volunteer – Tommy Root:
This summer finished not only with a complete record of flowering plants but also with a first gall and leaf mine survey; resulting in seven gall and seven leaf mine species (leaf miners are insect larvae that feed on chlorophyll within the thickness of a leaf). Although there has been a decrease in flowering plants numbers with the advent of autumn and then winter, there are still flowers to be seen. You may have to look fairly hard but there are wild flowers present all year, even in midwinter. The churchyard trees in autumn have been a particular delight: the lovely reds, yellows and browns of the leaves have been an absolute joy. For greenery the perennial delights of evergreen Holly and Yew can still be enjoyed. Along with Ivy, both trees produce berries well into winter: a fantastic food source for birds. Ivy and Holly also flower late in autumn providing a late nectar source. Winter flowers visible include Herb Robert, Green Alkanet, Yellow Corydalis, Spreading Bellflower.
Events: Our events proved to be very popular and well attended. These included Bat and Moth Nights, Tree Walks and Seed Gathering.
History Guided Walks: Project Officer and the volunteers have designed a guided walk around the old churchyard. The walk tells a story of the Georgian society and people who lived and visited Hampstead during the 18th century.
The walks are conducted by our wonderful volunteers Dina, Jenni and Jon.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer guide please get in touch!
Dates for your calendar:
Free History Guided Walks:
January:
· Saturday 8th/ 15th / 29th – 11am
February:
· Saturday 5th / 26th – 11am
26 March 2011 – Grand Open Day
with a variety of talks, walks and activities throughout the day.
Leaflets/Tomb Trails: Volunteers have designed and provided drawings for the Wildlife & Nature Conservation Leaflet (big thanks to David Sims and Jess Wade!). It is now available from the church.
Sound Trail: Volunteers have been collating historical information about people buried in the churchyard. This will be used to develop a Sound Trail that will be available on CDs and to download from the website. We have commissioned Alan Dein, Radio 4 presenter, to deliver the work including design, interviews and editing. The trail should be available at the beginning of 2011.
For more information and volunteering opportunities please contact:
Honorata Devlin, project officer. Tel: 020 7974 5178 or 07920743286
Email: [email protected] www.camden.gov.uk/hpc
Life and Death in Hampstead Project