Edible Shropshire churchscapes

If you like apples, or perhaps love the taste of cider, why not come along to St Martin’s Church, Preston Gubbals, near Shrewsbury, to celebrate National Apple Day on Saturday (29 October 2011).

The event, called ‘Edible Churchscapes: Wildlife and Wildfood’, will take place from 10.30am to 3pm, when you will be able to learn more about local cider production and what biodiversity lurks in the churchyard.

Ancient churchyards are often remnants of traditional meadows that escaped the impacts of development and intensive agriculture. As such, many churchyards are hotspots for native plants and contain a diverse array of wildlife.

The event will show people how they can turn their local churchyards into wildlife havens and reap the benefit of planting traditional fruit trees.  Come along to find out about native apples, cider making and autumnal fungi.

The project is funded by the lottery ‘Awards for All’ scheme and is being delivered by the Churches Conservation Trust, with support from Shropshire Council and local countryside craftsman Tom the Appleman.