Faith in Nature: A Partnership for Restoration and Renewal
In 2024, Lower Machen Church and Caerphilly Woodlands Trust (CWT) launched their joint project, ‘Faith in Nature’, a unique collaboration rooted in shared values of stewardship, heritage, and community. This partnership was born to bring CWT’s expertise in conservation and community involvement to the church’s plans to restore the historic 15th-century bell tower.
By bringing a fresh, nature-based dimension to the heritage project, a financing proposal with a strong focus on community activities and environmental protection proved successful. Thanks to this approach, the Church secured National Lottery Heritage funding, not only enabling the restoration of the iconic bell tower but also launching a wider initiative to enhance the biodiversity of the ancient churchyard.
As experienced woodland stewards and champions of nature, CWT is now working alongside the Church to protect and enhance the burial grounds at Lower Machen, creating a sanctuary for wildlife and a place of reflection and learning for the local community. This project is part of a broader national movement recognising that with over 38,000 churches in the UK, churchyards can play a vital role in tackling the biodiversity crisis.
The Faith in Nature project was officially launched on the 3rd of May 2024 with special guest Iolo Williams, naturalist and television presenter. Iolo praised the initiative, saying:
“This is a fantastic project. So many churchyards are mown so that only grass survives, yet burial grounds, like Lower Machen’s, are havens for wildlife. Through over-mowing, we have lost opportunities to encourage wildlife to flourish. This project makes sure that this cannot happen—and it’s wonderful to see young people so inspired by protecting places like this.”
The launch was a celebration of community and nature, bringing together the Friends of Lower Machen Church, local guests, and representatives from three local schools. Activities included wildlife surveys, wildflower identification, and the building of individual bug hotels. A large bug hotel, constructed from repurposed wood, has also been installed on the grounds. A new mowing plan has been adopted to allow wildflowers and wildlife to thrive. Already, species like cowslips, red campion, cuckooflower, wild garlic, and many lichens—once overlooked—have now been recorded.
On the launch day, Iolo also captivated the children with stories of migrating swallows that had just returned from Africa, connecting the local landscape to the global wonders of the natural world. The project continues to grow, joining other churches across Wales in showcasing the importance of nature-friendly churchyard management.
Wayne Barnett, Church Warden at Lower Machen, said:
“It’s thanks to all the hard work of CWT and Church volunteers—especially the bellringers—that this project has been made possible.”
Although small, churchyards and burial grounds support a disproportionately high number of important species, from the tiniest lichens to majestic ancient trees. Remarkably, Britain is home to more ancient yews than any other country in Europe. In Wales alone, the Ancient Yew Group has identified 407 ancient or veteran yews (over 500 years old), with around three-quarters of these found in churchyards. These sacred spaces have long been left relatively undisturbed, allowing nature to flourish in peace, making them ideal sanctuaries for wildlife of all kinds.
At St Michael & All Angels Church, a dedicated team made up of church members, including the bell ringers, and volunteers from Caerphilly Woodlands Trust (CWT), some of whom are part of both groups, have come together in a unique collaboration. By sharing their existing skills and knowledge, they have worked to engage not only within their groups but also with the wider community.
Together, they launched the Faith in Nature project, celebrating the vital connection between spirituality and the natural world. The launch was supported by CWT’s patron—Iolo Williams, naturalist, author, and well-known presenter of BBC’s Springwatch—marking an inspiring beginning to this community-driven initiative.