On Valentine's Day Aston Tirrold hosted local champions for change and organisations to show their love for nature. Representatives from Astons Outdoors, the Churn Benefice, the Springline Project, and Bioabundance came together at St Michael’s Church for an afternoon of hands-on nature activities.
The day was organised to celebrate their shared love for nature and support Show the Love, the Climate Coalition’s nationwide campaign encouraging communities to remind their MPs how deeply constituents care about the environment.
George Curtis, a Parochial Church Council member, said:
“We can have a greater impact by working together. Each of us want to care for nature and are aware of how dependent we are on it. And we are not in the minority. This campaign from the Climate Coalition is highlighting that 89% of people want climate action. We invited our local MP, Olly Glover, and have sent him a photo of the group gathered with a request for him to continue holding government mini9sters to account on climate action.
“We are proposing a Wallingford Deanery Environment Network, bringing together churches across the area to learn from and encourage each other in our climate action. It won’t just be churches, our proposal is designed to strengthen connections between local churches and environmental groups working toward shared ecological goals.”
The afternoon’s activities included:
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Construction of a bug hotel, led by Jenny from the Mindful Gardening Company, whose expertise and guidance were greatly appreciated.
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Displaying individual pledges to support wildlife on a beautifully crafted wicker heart kindly donated by Nick and Penny.
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Installation of a bee post and creation of a deadwood fence, marking an area designated for future rewilding within the churchyard.
Attendees included supporters from Cholsey and North Moreton, reflecting the growing regional interest in collaborative environmental action. The Springline team also suggested exploring the use of wildlife cameras in the churchyard or adjacent gardens to help monitor and celebrate local biodiversity.
Looking ahead, the community aims to plant bird‑friendly shrubs once essential restoration work on the North wall of the church has been completed.
The event marked a joyful and encouraging moment in St Michael’s ongoing journey with the Springline Project. The strong turnout and shared commitment to protecting and restoring nature highlight the deep care held within the local community for the environment and for future generations.
Bishop of Reading, the Rt Revd Mary Gregory, who leads on environment for the diocese, said:
“Responding to the climate crisis is one of the Diocese of Oxford's key priorities. Across the diocese, we continue to work towards making a real and tangible difference to environmental sustainability in all the choices we make, including the spaces we live, work and worship in, and the energy we use.”