We are delighted to announce details of an exciting joint project between Dunmow Library and St. Mary’s Church. The Diary of a Country Churchyard draws inspiration from Edith Holden’s “The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady” which combines wildlife observations, illustrations, poems and other sayings about the months of the year and wildlife. The aim of the project is to ask different local groups to take a month and to contribute material for display on a 6ft by 2ft notice board in the library and as a page or pages in the collective community diary.

The first display is being created by Year 3 Pupils at Dunmow St. Mary’s Primary School. During the autumn term the children found out more about Christianity and made two visits to St. Mary’s Church and the Churchyard. During their second visit they worked with tutors from Writtle College to explore the idea of maps. The children have created artwork inspired by the stained glass windows and church architecture. This will be on display at the Library from 6th January.

Year 3 teachers, Mrs Moulsher and Miss Bryant, told Outlook that “the pupils enjoyed looking around the church and churchyard. They focused on different materials, took lots of photographs and altered the images. We used these pictures to make a spectacular stained glass window for the library.”

We will be organising a special bird spotting session in the Churchyard on 30th-31st January. To book please call the Vicarage (872504) for details.

If you, or a group you belong to, would like to take part in the project please contact Catherine Mummery on 859767, catherinemummery AT stmarysgreatdunmow.org.uk

This project is being supported by the BAA Stansted Community Fund and by Essex County Council’s Arts in Essex Fund.