Worcester Cathedral Peregrines
Watch the peregrines live on our webcam and find out more here.
Worcester Cathedral Landscape Plan
The Chapter recently commissioned the distinguished landscape architect Neil Swanson to prepare a masterplan for the future development of the Cathedral precinct. The Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England requires this of any cathedral before proposals are made for alterations to a precinct. The masterplan is a framework for incremental developments, not a plan of immediate action. Each stage of implementation requires its own consultation, permissions, and funding. However, the Cathedral does now have the prospect of funding from the Towns Deal and other sources for much-needed improvements to College Yard, which is likely to be the first phase of the masterplan to move towards consultation and permission. The masterplan may now be viewed here.
Worcester Cathedral’s 'Living Gently on The Earth' programme has won a prestigious award run by the Church Times, in the Training and Education category. The project has focused on training and educating the people of Worcestershire in care of creation, carbon literacy, climate justice, and environmentally friendly diets, among other things. Workshops, fairs, tours, nature surveys, lectures, conferences and practical demonstrations at the cathedral have raised awareness of greener and healthier diets, appreciation of the natural world, and the theology and science behind why everyone must act on the climate crisis.
Worcester Cathedral’s award-winning training programme Living Gently on the Earth continues into 2025 with its focus on enabling green and generous living in all its aspects.
We're thrilled to have been picked as one of Co-op UK's Local Community Fund causes 2024
Dave Whelan, our Head Gardener, said: "This project will provide the Cathedral with a grant to turn an area between the Chapter House and the Guesten into a wildlife habitat, the benefits of which cannot be understated. This wildlife habitat will consist of a wildflower meadow and a large ‘bug hotel’, which will be built by the Cathedral’s carpenter. The hotel will also be built with the intention of attracting hedgehogs and small mammals by incorporating hedgehog boxes into the design and the meadow will increase pollinator numbers, which in turn will provide a food source for birds, which all amount to a strong increase in biodiversity. This area will provide a hot spot for our bug hunts and wildlife auditing process and in doing so an educational resource in just how important areas like this are to a greater and healthier ecosystem, an ecosystem that we all rely upon."
Visitors to College Green will have noticed an exciting new development which includes an amazing bug hotel and hedgehog house. Designed and built by the Cathedral Maintenance Team, the impressive structure sits within a newly rewilded garden. This project is supported by the Co-op Local Community Fund and the kind generosity of Irene Borgardts in loving memory of her sister Anita.
The garden forms part of our eco plans for the Cathedral and contains a diverse selection of wildflowers as well as a space to reflect and enjoy the Cathedral. Dave Whelan, Head Gardener writes, ‘The meadow will increase pollinator numbers, providing a food source for birds – resulting in an increase in biodiversity. Providing the perfect spot for our bug hunts and wildlife audits, this demonstrates just how important areas like this are for a healthier ecosystem.’
In remembering her sister and celebrating her life, Irene writes, ‘It gives me great pleasure to make this donation to Worcester Cathedral’s rewilding project in memory of my sister Anita Borgardts who sadly passed away on 20 July 2022. The beautiful building and the wonderful people associated with the Cathedral offered her great solace during some challenging times for which the family is forever grateful.’
‘Anita moved to Worcestershire in 1982 to join the County’s Sensory Impairment Team where she worked for 30 years, until ill health due to Multiple Sclerosis necessitated her early retirement in 2012. Following her retirement she became very involved with the Cathedral as a Volunteer Welcomer and a supporter of the Cathedral’s many excellent projects. As a teacher of hearing and sight impaired children and a disabled person herself, she loved all aspects of nature and her own sensory garden at home provided a beautiful, fragrant oasis when increasing disability curtailed her activity. She acquired a hedgehog box several years ago and I can still remember her excitement when the first hoglets were born. Care of her ‘babies’ was included in her Care Plan agreed with her personal carers and also into my list of duties!
‘I know that Anita would have loved the rewilding project and all the other exciting proposals outlined in the Cathedral’s Landscape Masterplan. I hope to keep in touch with the Cathedral as the plan progresses and support it as I know she would have done. In the meantime, I would like to wish the team all the very best in this initial wilding project and in the exciting work planned for the future.’
We are delighted by this new garden area and are looking forward to seeing the meadow develop and flourish – and of course watching out for the insects and small mammals finding their new home. Thank you to Irene and all who support the Cathedral so generously in maintaining and developing our green space – an oasis in the heart of the city.