Events at St Margaret’s Allotments, Church and Churchyard and Centre, Durham

Idyllic green space and rich history at the heart of the city

Alyson Learmonth and David Rollason

St Margaret’s Allotments, the wellness hub which is St Margaret’s Centre, and the adjacent St Margaret’s Churchyard and Church (entrances from Margery Lane and Crossgate) are an area of considerable beauty, offering spectacular views of Durham Cathedral, a medieval church with a remarkable Norman interior, rich and varied trees (many laden with blossom in the spring), shrubs and hedgerows, gravestones recalling Durham’s past (as well as Commonwealth graves), productive and attractive gardens, and a wealth of wildlife, especially birds, insects (including butterflies), frogs and smaller aquatic creatures in a network of allotment ponds. The allotments and the churchyard are always open and everyone is welcome to enjoy their tranquillity and beauty, but readers of the Cross Quarterly are especially invited to come to a series of public events, jointly organised by St Margaret’s Allotments Association, Friends of St Margaret’s Churchyard, and St Margaret’s Centre. (Details of these events and more will shortly appear on the new St Margaret’s Allotments website, which is soon to launch. You will also be able to sign up for the regular newsletter.)

ST MARGARET’S NATURE DAY

Saturday 23 May, 11.00-15.00 with a bird-ringing demonstration in the churchyard  7.00-9.00 a.m.

Full details of activities are still being finalized, but in outline the day starts in the churchyard from 7.00-9.00am, with a chance for children, young people and adults to take part in bird ringing being carried out by licensed ringers, Tony Gibson and colleagues. There is then a break, re-starting at 11.00, with a range of family-friendly activities including: building bug hotels, pond dipping, wormery demonstrations, examining owl pellets, plant sales etc. Tony Gibson will lead tours of the recently installed nestboxes across the site to ring any young birds in them, Ruth Chambers with the specialists Val Standen and Jonathan Wallace will conduct a ‘bioblitz’ survey of small creatures in the churchyard. There will also be presentations in St Margaret’s Centre on topics such as Pond Life, Bats, and Composting. The day is free entry, but all contributions on a ‘pay as you feel’ basis will be very welcome.

ST MARGARET’S ALLOTMENTS, CHURCH, CHURCHYARD AND CENTRE OPEN DAY Sunday 5 July, 11.00-5.00 p.m., a National Garden Scheme event

This classic and always popular event – many varied allotment gardens to visit, scarecrow competition, live music, talks and presentations, tours and an insect bioblitz, St Margaret’s Church and Centre open to visitors, sales of plants, vegetables, and crafts, including in the Old School Crafts shop in the Centre. A day not to be missed. Further details to follow.