Columns (June 2009)
Green Links
By Janis Irvine
Energising, more aware, informing, enthusiasm, enlightening, responsibility — these are all words that could be attached to the recent seminar which took place at St Nicholas’ church in Gosforth.
The seminar sought to give participants information on various aspects of churchyard wildlife with the hope that it would be taken back to home parishes and acted upon, creating better opportunities for wildlife. There were 30 or so people attending who very much valued the opportunity to hear presentations by people who ‘knew their stuff’ and could convey their knowledge in a light and accessible way.
Elaine Jaggs, Biodiversity Officer for Northumberland Wildlife Trust, gave a description of her work, and it was salutary to learn that churchyards and cemeteries are counted amongst the areas regarded as important for wildlife in the biodiversity plan for the region. This made us all aware of the responsibility we have for caring for our churchyards within a wider context. It is so easy to see churchyards in a fairly insular way with their management being a matter for Parochial Church Council members only, without thought as to how they might fit the wider environmental picture.
This responsibility was further brought home when Janet Simkin spoke on her topic of lichens. Janet is the Northern representative of the British Lichens Society and her talk illustrated how important churchyards are for this very fragile and slow-growing form of life. Lichens can lie dormant for long periods of time and may grow for only short spells when conditions are favourable. They are site specific so that if a headstone is placed flat on the ground or if trees grow up and shield lichens on, say, a wall, this change in conditions can destroy the lichen. Some rare lichens are found in a considerably small number of sites and Janet knew of one specimen that has become extinct in this area because of a change in conditions on a church wall.
Canon Adrian Hughes of St. George’s, Cullercoats, began his presentation by supplying everyone with a fat ball bird feeder. His point was that we can all do something to enhance conditions for birds in our churchyards, often at very little expense. Apart from the obvious bird seed or fat balls, we could also look at planting natural species hedging such as hawthorn or holly. Caring for the wild life in ‘God’s Acre’ was a theological process — caring for what was God’s own creation.
Like Adrian, Shaun Hackett of Northumberland National Parks Authority, made the point that it cost very little to provide plants in churchyards that improved life for bumblebees. There are apparently six main species in this area but all are relatively low in numbers. There are many plant species which are pollinated exclusively by bumblebees and without them we would suffer a significant depletion of our fruit and vegetable crops. Planting shrubs in our churchyards to yield a succession of flowers from early Spring through to late Summer would greatly enhance conditions for this beleaguered species. He also pointed out that bumblebees have a penchant for blue flowers, so perhaps our Diocesan churchyards could adopt blue as a theme colour!
We were also enlightened by Libby Scott who shared with us the story of the yew trees of Beltingham and how the concern of one or two people for the welfare of the yews had snowballed into a full-blown community project. The initial concern about bands of iron encircling an extremely old yew at the rear of the churchyard had broadened into a compilation of poetry and other art works involving members of the local community working with people from the Tynedale blind community, plus the involvement of well-known botanist and environmentalist, David Bellamy and the actor, Robert Hardy! As Libby said, there was surely a sermon lurking in this story.
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Rural Affairs
With Dagmar Winter
Meeting LEADER in the Northumberland Uplands
He has worked in community development in Darfur (Sudan), Afghanistan and Pakistan. Now Tom Burston has returned to his roots in the foothills of the Cheviots where he is employed by the Northumberland National Park authority as coordinator of the Northumberland Uplands LEADER Local Action Group (LAG).
I met Tom in the National Park's Coquetdale Centre in Rothbury to hear more about his work supporting upland communities.
Tom, how did you get to where you are now?
"I spent the first six years of my life in Alwinton Vicarage before we moved to Wooler [his parents are Canon Bob and Sue Burston]. I studied Politics and Philosophy at Durham University and then did an MA in Development in London. From there I went to work with Oxfam. My last job was in Pakistan where I worked for a number of years and when that came to an end, it was time for me to come home. I now live in Netherton and it's lovely, people remember me from when I was a little boy – even though I'm not always so sure who they are!
I love this part of the world and I am very pleased to have this new post: the LEADER Programme has the potential to be really exciting for us here. One of the best parts of the job is working with the Local Action Group members, 20 volunteers, ordinary people, from all different walks of life, embedded in their communities, from farmers to a variety of business people to parish councillors to estate managers and more – and all are real advocates for rural businesses. They want to support the rural economy and get the programme to work well."
Now you need to explain what the LEADER programme is about. Wasn't there something like this a few years ago?
"Yes, there was Leader+ …"
And you need to explain why it's called LEADER, please! It sounds as though it will help us to lead …?
Ok. It does sound a little odd! But it's a French acronym standing for 'links between actions of rural development'. LEADER began in 1991, as a European initiative to provide rural communities in the EU with a method for involving local partners in planning the future development of their area. It's the idea of a bottom-up approach. And it has actually enabled local innovative responses that don't always fit in boxes – because rural problems don't always fit in boxes either!
Leader+ had a tendency to focus more on community projects. The current LEADER programme which will run till 2013 is more clearly targeted at economic development. We have approx £400,000 per annum to spend. How can we safeguard viable rural businesses in the Uplands? And how can we encourage and support new businesses? These are the chief questions we're trying to address. But the key thing is that economic development isn't separate from community development. For instance, it's the combination of being competitive in the production of food, having an attractive environment and creating job opportunities for the local population that together makes a positive difference to the quality of life for rural communities. It's all about sustainable development: sustainable businesses, sustainable farming and forestry – adding value, sustainable tourism – supporting the locally distinctive, all inseparable from sustainable communities.
So how does the programme work?
People submit an expression of interest and outline a project to me. I look at it and sometimes I redirect them if I know their project falls outside our remit. Sometimes I will ask one of the LEADER Local Action Group members with special experience and expertise to visit them. In the end, it's the whole group who approves completed applications. My job is to coordinate the group, convene it, contact the projects and work with them from application and approval to delivery. Personal contacts are key and we also have good relationships with Business Link, Northumberland Tourism etc
Which projects have you supported so far?
It's early days. We've had 62 expressions of interest so far and five projects have been approved: one in West Woodburn, one at the Fenton Centre near Wooler, one around traditional skills.
We're always looking for new innovative ideas and the recession can actually be a good time for this. Anyone interested should take a look at our website, www.nuleader.eu or give me a ring on 01669 622063 if they would like to have a chat about a project.
And now for a really stupid question: where are the Northumberland Uplands?
It's an area of around 1,900 sq miles with approx 32,600 residents, the whole of the National Park and more, running from the River South Tyne, and extending north through the upland area of Northumberland to the border with Scotland and the River Till. We will consider applications from outside the Northumberland Uplands area if the project will benefit people and locations within it.
Are there other Leader groups in Northumberland and neighbouring areas?
Yes, there's the Northumberland Coast and Lowlands LEADER Local Action Group which includes Alnwick and Berwick, and there's one in the Scottish Borders and another in the North Pennines which includes Allendale. Among the 70 or so LAGs around the country, ours was the first on the mainland to approve projects, and we're proud of that – only the Isle of Wight beat us to it!
On that happy note, thank you, Tom, and all good wishes for continued success in your support of upland communities.
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View from the Lantern
By Canon Sydney Connolly
“Blessed amongst women”
Discovering the large number of saints depicted in the stained glass windows of the Cathedral can be an absorbing and rewarding business. I’ve mentioned before St. Barbara, not often heard about, but to be found in St. George’s Chapel. The Chapel is at present undergoing quite extensive refurbishment – I can’t wait to see what the end result will be! The other day, in the main part of the Cathedral, I found St. Finan. I ought to have known straight away who he was, and should have taken note of his fellow saints in the same window, to pick up some clues – Aidan, Oswald, Paulinus – but I’m afraid I had to resort to my Penguin Dictionary of Saints. Of course, it all came back to me: Finan was a missionary in Northumbria who died in the year 661. He succeeded the great St. Aidan as bishop of Lindisfarne, and carried on his missionary work south of the Humber.
It is no surprise that Mary, the mother of Christ, is shown in several of the Cathedral’s windows. The oldest window is the roundel, which is located in St Margaret’s Chapel, and is in fact now the only piece of medieval glass in the Cathedral. It is very beautiful, showing our Lord’s dependency of his mother as she feeds him from her breast. Above the west door you can find Mary in traditional pose, as part of the Jesse Tree window. When you come to the windows in the east of the Cathedral, Mary is at the right hand of Jesus in a depiction of the passion. The marvellous east window shows Mary being comforted by the disciple John at the place of crucifixion. There is a charming set of windows on the south side of the Cathedral, which show the well-known Biblical stories of the Annunciation (with Gabriel and what looks like an impressive display of peacock feathers!), Nativity, and Presentation in the Temple. Flowing Latin scrolls show the relevant verses from the Gospel. I like the dedication of this window: “To the honour and glory of God, and in remembrance of many mercies”. The more modern Ascension window (1962) by Leonard Evetts has Mary with some apostles on one side, and Peter with some apostles on the other side, with Christ in majesty at the centre.
The saints, and Mary, are shown not only in glass; they can be found in wood and stone. In the cover over the font there is a depiction of Mary being crowned by her Son – an interesting non-Biblical event, but one designed to represent the absolute sovereignty of Christ over all things and all people. The fine Rood Screen shows the crucifixion with Mary and John at either side of the Cross, together with angels in attendance. In the Reredos, behind the High Altar, Mary is there amongst a number of other saints, including St. Nicholas, patron of the Cathedral. The renowned Thornton Brass, originally sited in All Saints’, Quayside, has Mary in the central pillar between Roger and his wife.
Whether we would nowadays install such representations of Christ, Mary and the saints in our Churches and Cathedrals is doubtful, but as we find them in our Cathedral, they provide us with wonderful moments of meditation and contemplation. As we look upon their beauty, and consider those who created them and the people who donated them, we can raise a prayer of thankfulness for all the saints (especially the Northern ones) and for Mary, blessed amongst women, and the faith which they held and maintained.
Almighty God, grant us grace so to follow your blessed saints
in all virtuous and godly living
that we may come to those inexpressible joys
that you have prepared for those who truly love you.........
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Christian Aid
Are you up to the Challenge?
Christian Aid is giving you the opportunity to take to the streets and be part of most iconic half-marathon in the world.
Whilst the official ballot for places in this year’s Bupa Great North Run on Sunday 20 September has closed, you can still be on the starting line by signing up for one of Christian Aid’s 150 guaranteed places.
Doing so means you’ll be one of over 40,000 runners following the 13.1 miles route from Newcastle city to the South Shields coast. And by putting on your running shoes, you’ll be helping poor communities around the world to have a brighter future.
Anita Morais (22), pictured above, Christian Aid’s youth group advocate for the north east has already signed up and pledged to raise at least £300 in sponsorship.
Last year Anita travelled with Christian Aid to the Democratic Republic of the Congo where she experienced a breathtaking and inspiring insight into the fight against poverty and injustice.
Inspired by her experience, she said: “I’ve already started my training schedule and am really looking forward to my first Great North Run along with experiencing the passion and fun it generates.
“Signing-up means I’m receiving lots of help with training and fundraising tips, supporting me to achieve my personal objectives. I’ve also been given a free running vest that will add to the colour on the day.”
You too can be part of Christian Aid’s Great North Run team by registering online at www.christianaid.org.uk/events or calling 0191 228 0115. Alternatively to support Anita you can sponsor her by visiting: www.justgiving.com/anitamorais - doing so ensures 25% Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement are added to your donation.
If running is not really your thing then why not consider pushing your boundaries by joining Christian Aid in its first-ever Holy Island Midnight challenge, 11-13 September 2009?
In challenging yourself and three pals in this team event, you will trek 60 miles in 30 hours walking along St. Cuthbert’s Way, arriving at Holy Island for a celebratory finish.
The walk begins in the historic town of Melrose early on Saturday morning, and reaches the Lindisfarne causeway before the tide comes in on Sunday. Crossing the causeway onto Holy Island is certain to be an experience you will never forget.
You’ll be given a waterproof route map and hot meals throughout the event.
For £99 and committing to raising £2500, you can register your team of four at www.christianaid.org.uk/events
Judith Sadler, Christian Aid’s Unit Manager in Newcastle said: “We’re fortunate to have two of Christian Aid’s premiership challenge events taking place in our region. They provide local people with a terrific and unique opportunity to support our world development work whilst aspiring to and achieving their personal goals.”
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