BBC Songs of Praise presenter Aled Jones was in Suffolk at a Foxearth Meadows reserve earlier this month finding out what the annual harvest celebration means to local Christians and the importance of caring for nature. The episode he was filming for was ‘Caring for Creation’ which was featured on Sunday 25 September at 1.15pm on BBC One and is currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
The episode illustrates the importance of reconnecting with the natural world and transforming spaces for nature. Foxearth Meadows managed by A Rocha UK since 2015, a Christian nature conservation charity, has become a wildlife haven where communities can help protect the natural world. The 11-acre reserve, on the south side of the river Stour sits on a floodplain on the border between Suffolk and Essex, dedicated to providing a wetland habitat. The reserve is managed especially for dragonflies and damselflies, it is also home to a wealth of wildlife including otter, kingfisher and harvest mouse.
Mark Prina, Foxearth Meadows reserve manager, explains, "Foxearth Meadows is a special place where people come to encounter our precious wildlife. We hope that, by being included in this ‘Care for Creation’ episode on Songs of Praise, many more people will see how we promote caring for nature, be concerned at its vulnerability yet wonder at its resilience and vitality."
Churches have stepped up to care for nature through the A Rocha UK’s Eco Church programme, launching their appeal this month.
Earlier this summer, Songs of Praise recorded hymns and music at Holy Trinity Church in Long Melford during the hottest day of the year, a reminder of our warming climate. At Harvest time many think about how important it is to look after our planet.
The Revd Matthew Lawson, from Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford said "I look forward to seeing friends old and new in the broadcast; please pray that the programme will bear good fruit - both physically and spiritually."
The Revd Lynda Sebbage from Barrow Benefice invited seven children from their eco-group to explore the reserve and try some pond-dipping.
Lynda from a Silver EcoChurch said, “We were delighted to be invited to take part in the recent filming at Foxearth Meadows, near Sudbury. Several children from the Barrow Benefice, all keen on the environment, having already visited our Eco Church Project at All Saints Church, Barrow, joined the tour around Foxearth, which is a haven for a variety of dragonflies and damselflies. We were rewarded with seeing quite a number of them as they flitted across the reeds and ponds, and the children loved learning how to spot the difference between them! While the filming took place, the children had great fun in making their own dragonflies.”
The BBC show also featured Charlotte Webb who told her story of overcoming hardship and finding faith through ‘Lightwave’. Having come to Lightwave for help with food, Charlotte discovered a family of trust and support where she was able to build a relationship with Jesus and turn her life around for the better.