Friends of Little Melton Church

The Friends were formed in 1999 with the aim of raising funds to preserve this beautiful 14th Century building, a legacy to all in the village. To date, over £60,000 has been generated and spent on many projects; the renovation of wall paintings; the restoration of all the windows and repairs to the roof and tower. Membership is by annual or monthly donation with no specific limit so all funds can be gift aided if possible.

Read more: Friends of Little Melton Church

Wildlife survey

churchyardPlan of the churchyard - click on the areas to jump to the paragraph about the area

 NWT logoSurvey Report - 2021

  1. Does the churchyard have a defined conservation area(s)?
    1. Yes
  2. If yes, how many does it have?
    1. An original sown conservation area sits in compartment B having been sown over 10 years ago. The mix has typical meadow plants
    2. A second conservation was agreed by the PCC for 2021and adopted in compartment D. This ground was not sown with a seed mix so would show the original ground flora.
  3. Is the sward even and fine-textured? Or coarse and tussocky? Or closely mown?
    1. All compartments have to date had a regular cutting regime resulting in a fine sward but not tightly mown.
    2. An area of primroses in compartment A is left to flower leaving the sward slightly tussocky until it joins the mowing regime.
    3. The new conservation area was left out of the mowing regime.
  4. Are the grass cuttings raked off?
    1. Not in the mown areas. The conservations areas are subject to a different regime.
  5. Are there significant unmanaged or neglected areas?
    1. A small area around the shed All the plots with grave surrounds have the area enclosed by the surround left uncut unless family cut the area. Where there is a small amount of ground between headstones this is left uncut. (Larger gaps are cut) In total this creates a large unmanaged area.
  6. What sort of hedge do they have? Does it appear to be managed?
    1. There are defined hedges in compartments A, B and D. all could be classed as lightly managed with signs of cuts over the years to bring them back into order.
    2. Compartment C has an ivy covered flint and brick wall as the southern boundary with adjacent standard trees and shrubs. Compartment B has two lightly managed hedges with an unkempt hedge with standards to the north adjacent Mill Road.
  7.  Are ant hills present in the churchyard?
    1. No.

Description of the churchyard

The churchyard has a predominance of English Yew throughout with standards of Oak, Ash and Cherry as the other grown trees. The sward in all compartments shows a predominance of flora rather than grasses.

Compartment A:

This is to the east of the chancel and main tarmac path. It is defined by the path as it curves to compartment B with a ditch between A and B as the east boundary. This compartment has a large area of primroses, snowdrops and cow parsley at the eastern boundary. The balance is open sward with yews to the north which give a deep shade over a ground flora of mostly ivy. A short cut path runs from the Lych Gate to the new graves in compartment B. This has no overall effect on the flora as it runs across the heavily shaded area.

That said this area does throw up individual plants not found in other compartments.

Compartment B:

This is the area of new graves and would originally have been a part of the adjacent arable field before being given over to burials.

It is generally mown to a light sward with areas between headstones and surrounds left uncut. However being recent burials some are further maintained to a fine texture by family and relatives.

The original sown conservation sits in this compartment and is usually left uncut until the end of the season. However it will diminish in size as it needed for new burials. This has already begun and for 2022 the size will be smaller.

The compartment is defined by lightly managed hedges to the south and east with unkempt hedges to the north and west.

There is a planting of a single beech as a tribute tree which is beginning to shade the ground flora and interrupting the placement of new burials.

Compartment C:

This is an area of existing graves with a number visited and maintained by relatives.

Its southern boundary is an ivy covered flint and brick wall with unkempt hedge boundaries to the east and west. The northern boundary is the tarmac path.

In 2021 an area adjacent the wall was cleared of fallen tree debris and vegetation to give access to existing graves. The area was bare and the usual plants took advantage. However when the new conservation area was mown the cuttings were spread over this area for short time to allow seed to fall on the ground.

Compartment D:

This compartment swings around the church from the west, north and south with the new conservation area to the south from the porch to around the chancel finishing at the north aisle.

The boundaries are a lightly managed hedge to the west and north and the tarmac path to the east which runs to the porch.

It is an area of existing graves treated much the same as in compartment C

It is shaded by English Yews for a good 15% of its area with the ground flora under them of little note.

Other species seen:

  • 29/4 White Tail, Orange Tip
  • 18/5 Holly Blue
  • 21/5 Speckled Wood
  • 16/7 2x Ringlet, Grey Squirrel
  • 2 x Speckled Wood, Hedgehog

SECTION 3 - MANAGEMENT

Current Management and recommendations.

The PCC have over the years have developed their own practices for the churchyard, as described in the compartment details.  These have served the churchyard well and resulted in the flora and its associated life flourishing.

Overall recommendation

All the areas would benefit from a cut in early to late March with the cuttings removed. This should encourage the growth and spread of the ground flora throughout.

 Compartment A

The shaded area consists mainly of ivy as ground cover therefore little or no maintenance is required with the exception of removing self seeded Elder.

An area of primroses and snowdrops to the east is becoming shaded by overhanging branches which should be removed to promote them and other ground flora. Behind these plants is an area of cow parsley. All these plants should be left to flower as the cow parsley offers nectar for the insect life. A cut should be made and the cuttings removed a soon as flowering has finished.

The regime of cutting the balance of the area with a mower to be retained and the area above included once flowering has finished.

The mowing regime does not reach the area between the headstones and inside the grave surrounds, these small pockets offer up the flora that is removed by the cutting of the balance of the compartment. These areas should be cut from late September and the cuttings removed where possible.

Compartment B

Has the continuation of the footpaths from compartment A and is regularly mown with the exception of the historic planted conservation area. The mowing regime does not reach the area between the headstones and these small pockets offer up the flora that is removed by the cutting of the balance of the compartment. These areas should cut from late September and the cuttings removed where possible.

The conservation area should be cut in early March and late September with the cuttings removed.

As this is a an area regularly visited by family members no further action need be taken with the exception of judicious trimming of the low growing branches on the Beech to give more light to the ground flora..

 Compartment C

The current mowing regime by the contractor should be maintained. This mowing regime does not reach the area between the headstones and inside the grave surrounds, these small pockets offer up the flora that is removed by the cutting of the balance of the compartment. These areas should be cut from late September and the cuttings removed where possible.

Compartment D

A new conservation area was established in 2021 and has returned a splendid show of flora from early in the season to late. In order to maintain this show the area should be cut twice a year. The first cut of the season in early March with the cuttings removed and a last cut in late September with the cuttings removed. The late cut will allow the Knapweed to offer nectar to insect life.

The current mowing regime by the contractor should be maintained for the balance of the compartment. This mowing regime does not reach the area between the headstones and inside the grave surrounds, these small pockets offer up the flora that is removed by the cutting of the balance of the compartment. These areas should be cut from late September and the cuttings removed where possible

SPECIES FOUND IN THE CHURCHYARD

 Dominant
A  Abundant
 Frequent
 Occasional
R  Rare

 

    Area Visits 28/2, 21/3, 20/4, 29/4, 21/5, 24/6, 16/7, 25/8
English Name Latin A B C D Comments D A F O R Other records
American Willowherb EPILOBIUM CILIATUM       X         X   29/4 White Tail, Orange Tip
Ash FRAXINUS sp   X X         X     18/5 Holly Blue
Barren Strawberry POTENTILLA STERILIS X X X X       X     21/5 Speckled Wood
Bee Orchid OPHRYS APIFERA   X   X         X   16/7 2x Ringlet, Grey Squirrel
Beech FAGUS SYLVATICA   X     tribute planting         X 2 x Speckled Wood
Black Bindweed FALLOPIA CONVOLULUS X                 X Hedgehog
Black Horehound BALLOTA NIGRA     X X           X  
Black Medick MEDICAGO LUPULINA   X X X         X    
Black Walnut JUGLANS NIGRA X       tribute planting         X  
Bluebell - English HYACINTHOIDES NON-SCRIPTA     X             X  
Bluebell - Spanish HYACINTHOIDES HISPANICA X X               X  
Bramble RUBUS sp X X X X       X      
Broad Leafed Dock RUMEX OBTUSIFOLIUS X X X X         X    
Buckthorn sp RHAMNUS sp X X               X  
Bugle AJUGA REPENS X   X X       X      
Bulbous Buttercup RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS   X   X         X    
Bullace PRUNUS DOMESTICA     X             X  
Burnet Saxifrage PIMPINELLA SAXIFRAGE X   X X dependant on mowing regime       X    
Cleavers GALIUM APARINE X X X X       X      
Canadian Fleabane CONYZA CANADENSIS X                 X  
Cock's-foot DACTYLIS GLOMERAT X     X         X    
Common Bird's-Foot Trefoil LOTUS CORNICULATUS     X             X  
Common Broomrape OROBANCHE MINOR   X               X  
Common Chickweed STELLARIA MEDIA       X           X  
Common Knapweed CENTAUREA NIGRA X X X X       X      
Common Lime TILIA x EUROPAEA X X             X    
Common Mallow MALVA SYLVESTRIS       X           X  
Common Nettle (stinging) URTICA DIOICA X X X X       X      
Common Sorrel RUMEX ACETOSA X X X X       X      
Common Vetch VICIA SATIVA   X X           X    
Cow Parsley ANTHRISCUS SYLVESTRIS X X X X       X      
Cowslip PRIMULA VERIS   X X             X  
Creeping Buttercup RANUNCULUS REPENS   X               X  
Creeping Cinquefoil POTENTILLA REPTANS X X X X       X      
Creeping Thistle CIRSIUM ARVENSE     X             X  
Crocus CROCUS   X               X  
Cut Leaved Cranesbill GERANIUM DISSECTUM   X X X         X    
Daffodil Sp NARCISSUS sp X X X           X    
Daisy BELLIS PERENNIS X X X X       X      
Dandelion TARAXACUM OFFICINALE X X   X       X      
Dogwood CORNUS SANGUINEA   X X             X  
Dovesfoot Cranesbill GERANIUM MOLLE X X X X       X      
Elder SAMBUCUS NIGRA X X X X         X    
False Oxlip PRIMULA VERIS x VULGARIS   X               X  
Fat Hen CHENOPODIUM ALBUM     X             X  
Field Bindweed CONVOLVULUS ARVENSIS   X               X  
Field Maple ACER CAMPESTRE X X X             X  
Field Wood-rush LUZULA CAMPESTRIS       X           X  
Forget me Not sp MYOSOTIS sp   X               X  
Fox-and-cubs PILOSELLA AURANTIACA   X               X  
Garlic Mustard ALLIARIA PETIOLATA       X           X  
Germander Speedwell VERONICA CHAMAEDRYS X X X X       X      
Grape Hyacinth MUSCARI ATLANTICUM   X               X  
Greater Celandine CHELIDONIUM MAJUS   X               X  
Greater Stitchwort STELLARIA HOLOSTEA X   X X         X    
Ground Ivy GLECHOMA HEDERACEA X X X X       X      
Groundsel SENECIO VULGRIS X   X X         X    
Hairy Bittercress CAROAMINE HIRSUTE   X X X         X    
Hawkweed sp HIERACIUM AGG       X         X    
Hawthorn Sp CRATAEGUS MONOGYNA   X               X  
Hazel CORYLUS AVELLANA   X               X  
Hedge Bedstraw GALIUM ALBUM       X              
Hedge Woundwort STACHYS SYLVATICA X     X           X  
Herb Robert GERANIUM ROBERTIANUM X X X X       X      
Hoary Plantain PLANTAGO MEDIA     X X         X    
Hogweed HERACLEUM SPHONDYLIUM X X X X       X      
Holly ILEX AQUIFOLIUM     X             X  
Ivy HEDERA HELIX X X X X       X      
Ivy-leaved Speedwell VERONICA HEDERIFOLIA X                 X  
Japanese Cherry PRUNUS sp   X               X  
Laburnum LABURNUM ANAGYROIDES     X             X  
Lady's Bedstraw GALLIUM VERUM X   X X         X    
Lesser Celandine  RANUNCULUS FICARIA X X X X       X      
Lesser Stitchwort STELLARIA GRAMINEA       X           X  
Lilac SYRINGA     X             X  
Lords-and-Ladies ARUM MACULATUM X X X X         X    
Meadow Buttercup RANUNCULUS ACRIS   X               X  
Meadow Vetchling LATHYRUS PRATENSIS   X               X  
Nipplewort LAPSANA COMMUNIS X X   X         X    
Oxeye Daisy LEUCANTHEMUM VULGARE X X X X       X      
Pedunculate Oak QUERCUS ROBUR   X               X  
Poppy sp PAPAVER       X           X  
Prickly Sowthistle SONCHUS ASPER     X X         X    
Primrose PRIMULA VULGARIS X X X X       X      
Procumbent Yellow Sorrel OXALIS CORNICULATA       X           X  
Ragwort sp SENECIO sp       X           X  
Red Clover TRIFOLIUM PRATENSE X X               X  
Red Dead-nettle LAMIUM PURPUREUM X X X X         X    
Ribwort Plantain PLANTAGO LANCEOLATA   X X X       X      
Rowan SORBUS AUCUPARIA   X               X  
Selfheal PRUNELLA VULGARIS X X X X       X      
Silver Birch BETULA PENDULA     X             X  
Smooth Sowthistle SANCHUS OLERACEUS X   X X         X    
Snowdrop Sp GALANTHUS X X X X       X      
Spear Thistle CIRSIUM VULGARE X X X X         X    
Spotted Medick MEDICAGO ARABICA       X           X  
Star of Bethlehem ORNITHOGALUM UMBELLATUM     X X dependant on mowing regime       X    
Sun Spurge EUPHORBIA HELIOSCOPIA X     X         X    
Sweet Chestnut CASTANEA SATIVA     X             X  
Violet Sp VIOLA sp X X X X         X    
White Clover TRIFOLIUM REPENS X X X X       X      
White Dead-nettle LAMIUM ALBUM X X X X       X      
Wild Teasel DIPSACUS FULLONUM     X             X  
Wood Avens GEUM URBANUM   X X             X  
Wood Dock RUMEX SANGUINEUS   X   X           X  
Yarrow ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM X X X         X      
Yellow Rattle RHINANTHUS MINOR   X               X  
Yew English TAXUS BACCATA X X X X       X      
Little Melton Parish Website