Baby frogs and tadpoles are delighting visitors to our garden as we mark its second year.
This year the garden took part in two open days as part of Brighton and Hove Open Gardens Month, both of which went very well. Visitors enjoyed cream teas and refreshments, with church members baking all the scones and cakes, and the two events raised £110 in donations to the garden fund.
Vicar Emma Ham Riche said she was delighted that people previously unknown to the church, but living locally, had come along and that it was lovely to see them chatting with the volunteer gardeners.
The garden is open all year round, and new volunteers are always welcome. Two gardening sessions are currently held fortnightly on Thursdays and Saturdays.
A watering rota is in place during the hot weather, using the outside tap and hose installed after a fundraising effort that also helped provide garden benches, tools, plants and a pond. Parishioner Margaret kindly donated funds for a tap installation.
Over the past 18 months, volunteers with a variety of expertise have been helping to create an environment that supports many species of wildlife in the garden. Jane Millett, Churchwarden and garden volunteer, said: “An important element in any garden is a water feature of some kind. You need to get the balance right between the pond plants, and it quickly becomes a rich oasis for all kinds of wildlife. We were excited to see the frogspawn earlier this year, and we’ve been watching this particular life cycle develop. Now these tiny creatures are hopping around, while younger tadpoles are still growing."
As this is now a yearly feature, due to natal philopatry and the wonder of nature, the frogs will return to the place where they hatched to spawn. So, from one little pond, there is the possibility of having generations upon generations of St John’s froglets hopping around every summer.
Jane added: “We decided to put up signs because we do not want people to step on them, and we also want to help educate younger visitors that this garden is full of life. So we are asking everyone walking through the garden to take care and look out for them.”
Many people now use the garden as a shortcut between London Road and Knoyle Road, and visitors often appreciate the colourful flower displays. The garden now also includes four apple trees, as well as many plants that encourage butterflies and bees.
If you want to enquire about volunteering, please contact the churchwarden, Jane Millett, and you can reach her through the church office email: office@brightonstjohn.org.uk