St Mary’s announces new Priory Garden initiative for the Churchyard

St Mary’s sits right in the centre of the Totnes community and is surrounded by the most beautiful open and tranquil space, where Totnesians have enjoyed peace and seclusion in life and death for centuries. This new initiative plans to open the space for more opportunities for children to learn, the community to enjoy, artists to share and people to relax.

The session on June 14 is timed to coincide with “Love Your Burial Ground Week”, a national initiative which runs from 7 th June to 15th June, which is a celebratory week which has been running for many years. “Caring for God’s Acre” has been encouraging all who help to look after churchyards, chapel yards and cemeteries to celebrate these fantastic places in the lovely (hopefully!) month of June – in any way you choose.
We’ve seen history talks, picnics, volunteering work parties and even abseiling teddy bears! At St Mary’s on Saturday June 14 th from 12 o’ clock until 3 pm we will be setting up stall to explain what the initiative plans to do and have games for children, seedlings to grow and a ”Small But Mighty Trail” competition.

“We also plan to explain the history of the Priory” said Francesca Allan, co-ordinator for the initiative, “There is so much history hidden underground about the Priory which we want to explain to visitors, it is well document but has never been shown. The priory was destroyed in the Reformation which is why we have chosen to rename the churchyard The Priory Garden”.

Peter Hilken is engaging local schools in monitoring entomology in the garden and together they will be building a further two bug hotels and planting bulbs and wildflower seeds for the spring. Alison Fisher said “We have put together some really lovely ideas for The Priory Garden, just really to make it a more beautiful place for everyone, and also perhaps for art installations under the trees and outside readings and music in the summer”.

But the team is also very keen to hear your ideas and what you would like, bearing in mind this is a garden for the whole community to use as a safe space, away from the pace and distractions of hectic life.

If you have any suggestions, please email the team at thepriorygardentotnes@gmail.com and come and see us on June 14th in the Priory Garden 12 -3pm