Well, at least the rain focuses my attention at the workshop! Riverford Dairy have provided the project with a dedicated space over the past year and a bit to create the nestboxes and experiment with designs. The support I’ve received to turn up on the working farm and make a mess in their barn has almost been immeasurable! They’ve just provided an even better space for us to use so it’s full steam ahead! Huge thanks to Ollie, Esther, Will and the team at Riverford Dairy.
There have been a few church installations over the past few months, so here goes!
Ashburton, St. Lawrence’s Chapel
St. Lawrence’s Chapel installation was funded by Riverford Organic from the Planet Fund and in parallel with our Buckfastleigh Community Project Community Project. A few people from Ashburton came along to the presentation in Buckfastleigh and enquired about boxes for Ashburton, so it was great to be able to install in this church.
Bob O’Kelly who got the ball rolling and has nominated himself as the Swift Champion.
Many thanks again to the Riverford Planet Fund for sponsoring the project
Bishopsteignton, St. John the Baptist.
St. John’s has pierced stone screens in the bell chamber and wooden louvres in the rope room, below. The PCC were very supportive and granted permission to include a selection of designs, on both levels of the tower.
The wonderful folk of Bishopsteignton who were keen to lend a hand for the installation!
Combe St. Nicholas, St Nicholas.
I was contacted by Steve Hyde of Combe last year and it took me less than a few minutes to realise that Steve’s an utter swift nutter! He has many nesting swifts at his house and between himself and Dr. Colin Ryall, I was persuaded to survey and install in Somerset (Booo Hisss!). I was actually born in Somerset, so I jumped at the chance. As this is out of our funding range, the community of Combe St. Nicholas raised the funds themselves!
The installation was relatively awkward in terms of access as a security alarm system and bell frame which was very close to the louvres needed to be factored into the designs.
Steve, with the boxes, ready for the climb to the tower top.
A suspended frame was installed. The masonry above the arch was more intact than the reveals!
Testing the caller!
Iddesleigh, St.James.
I like to think of myself as a do-er, but I’ve met many people over the past few years who I look up to for their do-ability! Jackie Sweet of Iddesleigh got in touch with me last year enquiring about the possibilty of installing nestboxes in St. James’ church. Within the blink of an eye, Jackie had pestered me (in the best possible way!) and drove to Dawlish for leaflets, a nestbox, and organised a fundraising coffee morning in Iddesleigh, to support the project. Inspiring!
I had to cordon off an area below the tower during the installation as there were glass (cracked and fragile) upstands on the louvre blades which needed removal, prior to installation. Fortunately, I didn’t drop anything!
Cracking glass Gromit!
Exbourne, St. Mary’s
Many thanks to Leigh and Tim (Swift Champion!) at St. Mary’s. One of the easier installations as the louvres are in great condition.
Morebath, St. George’s
We’ve been asking for donations from churches to support the project. There isn’t a set fee, but the greater the pledge, the more priority we can afford the installation. It simply means that we can achieve more for swifts! Many churches are in states of crisis, maintenance wise, and preventing rainwater ingress which is rotting structrual timber, for example, can and must be a priority, preventing a donation from the church. Occasionally, someone from the community steps in to support. Paul Tuck of Morebath is one of them. Thanks Paul! Also a special mention of Fiona Clark of Nethergill Associates who linked us all together for this to happen.
The wonderful, Paul Tuck!
