Our Journey So far

Our Journey So far

Since the launch of the project we have come a long way!

There are now more than 60,000 bees living across four hives in the walled garden. We are grateful for the support from Manchester and District Bee Association. The hives are going from strength to strength, and we have even won prizes for our honey!

The walled garden is the first part of the project to be worked on and now houses polytunnels, a greenhouse, an outdoor classroom (which has been built using eco-bricks made by parishioners) and an accessible surface to provide access for all.  The next few months will see the construction of raised beds.

A wildlife meadow and forest garden have been plated and we are working to monitor the wildlife activity in the local area.

In October 2019 the first four trees were planted to mark the launch of the Memorial Forest, in partnership with charity Life for a Life. Over time, the Memorial Forest will grow into a special space for families to cherish and remember lost loved ones – as well as nourishing our air for generations to come.

For all the details of how to plant a tree and who to contact please visit the Life for a Life Website.  

We were pleased to work with Life for Life again as they supported the planting of an orchard. More than 60 pupils from 10 primary schools around our diocese put on their gardening gloves and picked up their spades as they planted 20 fruit trees which will grow into an orchard in the years to come.   Find out more about the planting day here.

Our work with schools is key to the life of the centre and in 2019 we hosted our first eco-summit with attendees from 18 primary schools. Each school sent a representative with an example of how they are working within their own school to care for their common home and living more sustainably. Like many organisations, events and visits have been hit during the pandemic but we look forward to many more days like this in the future.

Planning permission for the first building phase of the Laudato Si Centre was approved in January 2021 and plans are moving forward. It is hoped that in Phase One we will be able to build a reception centre to be able to welcome visitors.

Throughout this process we have been supported by fantastic volunteers who have given up their time and expertise to get us started.

This is just the beginning, and we look forward to sharing the journey with you!