YOUNGSTERS have been brightening up a churchyard in the centre of Crosby. Parishioners of St Luke’s Church have big plans for the churchyard and have their fingers crossed that a lottery funding bid is successful. In the next phase of planting in early March, shrubs will be placed along the railings adjoining The Bypass and organisers are looking for ‘spring cleaning’ volunteers. Steve Matthews, of St Luke’s, said: “We want to invite anyone who is interested to come and join the fun. “We are hoping this will be a way of getting the community involved. We also hope to have pupils from Crosby High School and people from Mencap helping to plant shrubs.” The group hoping to transform the churchyard have asked people what they would like to see in the garden. They have applied for just under £10,000 lottery funding. Mr Matthews said: “We did get a lot of support from local people including over 100 favourable comments from information sheets I left in Crossroads cafe. “We had responses from St Luke’s school, Crosby High School, Crosby Traders, a local care home, the North Merseyside Biodiversity manager, St Luke’s history group, St Luke's mums and toddlers, Crosby Rotary and many more. “The proposals include planting of hedges, trees, shrubs, bulbs and sections of wild flower meadow. “The biggest single feature will be a community garden where people would be welcome to relax and enjoy nature and office workers could enjoy their lunch there. Lady Green Nursery have agreed to help us with the design of this garden. “We also hope to widen paths to make the graveyard accessible by wheelchairs, and provide a self-guided history trail around some of the interesting graves. “We aim to form a Friends of St Luke's group which might enjoy managing the grounds for wildlife and helping to make the garden. “ At a later stage we would wish to provide a sensory garden including a raised planted area suitable for gardeners confined to wheelchairs.” Parishioners will hear if their bid was successful in May. The church has given the group £1,000 to get started Operation Eden, a diocesan environmental initiative, have pledged £400. underway. The shrubs planted by the schoolchildren was under the supervision of British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. To volunteer for the ‘spring clean’ e-mail steve.matthews@blueyonder.co.uk | 
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