Chester Diocese
News Item
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Digging for spiritual values
A RURAL Church of England parish near Chester has been inspired by its involvement in an international ecological project to get local young people to think and act green. The Revd David Wilson, a former teacher, has launched a local version of Back to Eden - the scheme his parishioners used to promote the regeneration of disused agricultural land in South Africa last year. On land south of Johannesburg, a transformation was brought about, with the help of Waverton with Alford and Bruera parish, Diocese of Chester, where Mr Wilson is Rector. The land, in Umzimvubu (Anglican) Diocese, has been fertilised, and bridges built. Irrigation has been improved and local industries such as baking and brick-making have been started. Now, the Eden project will live again locally, as the Rector explains: “The young people of Waverton Primary School will soon be growing their own food and cooking it for themselves, instead of buying food wrapped in fancy packaging from supermarkets. “The modern way of mass marketing food has abolished the link between the local land and how local people are nourished. We want to re-establish that link in the minds of young people. “When people are close to food production there is a spiritual element and I shall be exploring that with the young people who get involved.” The children’s project will be part of their coursework for Personal, Social, Spiritual, Health and Citizenship Education (PSSHCE) in Design and Technology and in Science. In another local scheme, to be launched later this year, Saighton C of E Primary school will produce a nature walk, which will allow children to get close to nature and the beauty of creation. Mr Wilson said: “The spiritual and environmental benefits of such activity are obvious and we shall be reflecting upon this.” The local schemes were inspired by the parish’s involvement in Back To Eden, a project in South Africa which ovefr trhe past two years has emphasised the links between people, the land and God. The scheme has helped regenerate degraded rural land. Church-goers from St Peter’s, Waverton, and the wider community in the village, including the village primary school, helped by raising funds for the African project through carol concerts, bad hair days, cake stalls and various fun events. The Rector and his family went on a sponsored cycle ride around Lake Constance on the Swiss-German border to raise funds for the African project. Since the project has been going, nearly £7,000 has been raised and used for improvements in Umzimvubu Diocese. * For more information about the Eden projects, phone the Rector, the Revd David Wilson on 01244 336196 or email wilsons@fish.co.uk
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Digging for food (L to R) ... farmer’s son Joe Bramall (5), Naomi Simm (6), George Stockton (6) and Jack Varley - all pupils of Waverton primary school
Getting stuck in to a local version of African eco-project, the Revd David Wilson
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