Before visiting a local churchyard I decided to return to Kenilworth in search of Kenilworth Books. This time I took a hand drawn map and the sat nav and successfully found the car park near the bookshop. The shop had a lovely display in the window advertising the book I was seeking - the Little Toller book "Admirals, Emperors and Chimney Sweepers" by Peter Marren. Purchase completed and temptations to buy other books resisted! I
took a slight detour on the way home to visit St Swithin's church in Barston where the churchyard is a designated "Local Wildlife Site"
The present church was built 1721 - 27 on the site of a 11th century church which was destroyed by fire in 1721.
In Saxon times Barston included most of the Berkswell area. During the reigns of King Henry II and King John land was given to the Knight Templars and, following their Dissolution, the Hospitallers. Some of you will remember my posts on Temple Balsall and its links with the Knight Templars and local legends tell of an underground passage from Temple Balsall to Barston church. However, most of the area then would have been part of the Forest Arden so people would have been able to move secretly between the two locations without needing a secret passage. Still the thought of one is rather exciting and charming and Famous Fiveish :)
My main reason for visiting was the fact that the churchyard qualified as a Local Wildlife Site in 2013. Local Wildlife Sites are the most important wildlife locations outside those designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI's) and are selected using agreed criteria. St Swithin's meadows qualify with ten scientific and 18 community criteria. The churchyard is located on the top of a low ridge on an outcrop of acidic Kemper sandstone. The site is ancient dating back to the 11th century although as mentioned above the present church is more recent. The most valuable habitat is the extensive area of semi-improved natural grassland which is left uncut during the summer. Sweet Vernal Grass, Yorkshire Fog and Smooth Meadow Grass are the most dominant species together with Crested Dogtail. Forbs occur especially Fox and Cubs plus Meadow Vetchling, Lesser Trefoil and Germander Speedwell. Yarrow, Pignut, Ox-eye Daisy and Red Clover also occur. Other occasional species found include Lady's Smock, Spiked Sedge, Musk Mallow, Cowslip, Slender Speedwell and Tufted Vetch.
Selfheal
Fox and Cubs were all around the churchyard including seedheads. It was only on my way home that I realised I should have collected a few seeds to plant in the garden.
It was good to see nestboxes provided in the churchyard - this one was in a yew.
As I expected the church was locked which was a shame as it contains a 1970 window designed by Nora Yoxall and Elsie Whitford showing the effect of changing seasons on agricultural life. Some of you may recall one of their wonderful windows I saw earlier in the year at St Mary and St Bartholomew in Hampton in Arden. There is also a window commissioned in 2000 to commemorate the Millennium by The Art of Glass at Earlswood which shows features of life in Barston which I would also liked to have seen.
The churchyard contains Commonwealth graves.
This yew was planted to commemorate the Millennium.
It was difficult to get close up photos of wild flowers as it was so windy but here
is Ox-eye Daisy.
Fox and Cubs again.
This sign fascinated me (very Famous Fiveish again!) - I've seen a very similar gravestone in St Giles at Packwood.
The churchyard standing cross is made of red sandstone. The cross shaft and head were added in the 19th century and it is Grade 2 listed.
Knapweed flowers were covered in bees.
The butterflies were too active to get photos but I saw many Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers and "whites".
It was good to visit another churchyard that is "managed" to encourage wildlife and heartening to see so many wild flowers and insects.
All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera
Reference: Information Board in the Churchyard on the Local Wildlife Site designation
"The History of St Swithin's Church Barston" by PS Orton online
