In 2022, St Bartholemew’s, Wick, engaged in the Arocha UK Eco-Church initiative and achieved a Bronze Award for their practical action in caring for God’s earth. The award helped them to think further about their efforts to care for creation and, in 2024, Net Zero initiatives from the Diocese and a chance meeting with the Common Connections team in South Gloucestershire Council gave them a renewed energy to take positive action.
In early 2025, they began to discuss plans for how they might improve the biodiversity in their church land and, through teamwork and perseverance, they landed on a strategy to allow nature to thrive.
The first part of the plan to take place was the planting of fruit trees. In April 2025, seven apple and pear trees were planted in the back field to create a mini orchard which will provide food and habitat for many species including bees and birds.
The second part of the plan centred on creating homes for animals and, in September 2025 they installed various boxes on Church grounds. Two Bat boxes and five bird boxes were installed on trees on Church land, and a further two Swift boxes were placed on the Church wall, helping the migratory birds to find a home when they arrive in late spring. On the ground, a Hedgehog box was also installed. The boxes were supplied by Common Connections, a South Gloucestershire project to restore, improve and connect green spaces along the border of South Gloucestershire and East Bristol.
Part three focused on planting trees, flowers and bulbs. In October and November, St Bart’s held two bulb planting sessions. In the first session, Wick Brownies helped plant a variety of bulbs from Common Connections and in the second, various members from the local community planted bulbs kindly donated by a volunteer.
Hedges were next on the agenda, and thanks for a donation from the woodland trust, the Church hosted a community day in early November where they planted 48 metres of saplings, filling gaps in their northern hedge. The hedge will now continue to provide habitat to a wide range of species, along with proving vital food to various animals in winter months.
In addition to the planting of bulbs, trees and hedges, St Barts also planted a new wildflower patch. Common Connection prepared the plot by scarifying the grass before children from Wick Primary School planted the thousands of seeds.
Reducing their carbon footprint
Alongside their busy work improving biodiversity, St Bartholemew’s have made significant steps towards achieving Net Zero.
In 2024 an energy audit was commissioned, and a consultant came to advise what could be done to reduce their carbon footprint. At this time, both the Church and Church Hall were using gas heaters.
It was decided to change the heating in the church hall from Gas to an Air-to-Air heat pump. This was chosen as it is suitable for a small building and heats the whole room and has the added benefit of being safer for the toddlers group meetings than a gas heater at ground level. In addition to this, new LED lights were installed. Reports from users of the church hall are that the new heating is excellent and easy to use.
For the church building, motion sensitive LED lighting was instaled in the two vestries.
This story of success reminds us that, with dedication and shared goals, we can transform our churches into beacons of hope and environmental stewardship. We give thanks for the excellent work of St Bartholemew’s and pray that their efforts will be an encouragement and inspiration to others.