St Chad’s in Ladybarn, Withington, has turned a once-neglected corner of the parish grounds into a wildlife garden, complete with a forest garden containing fruit trees and bushes, a raised bed for herbs, a willow tunnel and various different wild plants and bushes. This has been an extended project over a number of years for the parish, which has achieved a bronze Eco Church award. The various elements of the garden are tied into specific aspects of scripture and liturgy. For instance, an olive tree has been planted as a reminder of the story of Noah, along with wheat and grapevines as a reflection of the Eucharist.
Local history is also reflected in the garden, with the willow referring to the origins of the name ‘Withington’: ‘Woign-tun’ (a willow branch used for bundling). There is also a human ‘sun clock’ consisting of tiles laid out in such a way that you can tell the time by standing at a certain point on them.
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