Was wonderful to work today  on the roadside verges project with Jennifer from Revitalising Redesdale –  Northumberland Wildlife Trust. Anne Middleton, Bill Burlton and I were leading small groups in identifying the plants in the churchyard before moving onto the verges.

Especially wonderful because I lived here for over 20 years and have lots of happy memories of events in St Cuthbert’s 13th century church. If you are visiting, check the altar cloth. Annabel and I worked with the boys in the Sunday School to create it – well Annabel and the boys did.

During that time Annabel and I also carried out a couple of botanical surveys after summer services and picnics with the Sunday School and congregation. It was lovely to see some old friends, to see the results of the scything project and to check whether the bulbous buttercup was thriving.

Then Jennifer said Carol (photo credit – church and rose-bay willowherb) and I could stay to watch Anne and Martin ring the young swallows nesting close by.