28 May 2026
In May, the community of Debden gathered in the village hall to celebrate the launch of the Debden Bee Corridor Project. This joint project - led by the Eco Church Team at St Mary the Virgin Church and the Debden Parish Council, with funding from the Essex Local Nature Partnership - aims to boost local biodiversity by creating a continuous ribbon of nectar‑rich habitats for bees and other pollinators throughout the village.
The project will transform key green spaces and inspire residents to create bee‑friendly gardens of their own.
As part of the programme, the Debden Green telephone box will be converted into a miniature nature hub. Bee hotels will also be installed across the village, including a striking butterfly‑shaped bee hotel now standing in St Mary’s churchyard, installed with help from pupils at Debden Church of England Primary School.
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The Revd Lynda Sebbage, Team Vicar in Debden and Wimbish Parish, and Cllr Stephanie Watson, Chair of Debden Parish Council at the launch event for the Debden Bee Corridor Project.
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Attendees of the launch event received bee‑friendly window stickers to display in support of the project.
At the launch event, the Revd Lynda Sebbage, Team Vicar of St Mary the Virgin and All Saints Church, welcomed Master Beekeepers Richard and Jane Ridler, who delivered an inspiring talk on the importance of bees and how the community can support them in the months ahead. Attendees received bee‑friendly window stickers to display in support of the project, and the Debden Gardening Club offered pollinator‑friendly plants for a small donation for residents to take home and plant.
Reflecting on the event, Revd Lynda said:
“We were absolutely delighted with the turnout for the launch of our bee and pollinator programme. The village hall was full of people eager to learn more about the vital role bees and all pollinating insects play in our world.”
As part of the wider project, the church also organised a community planting day, bringing the local community together to add pollinator‑friendly plants to key spots around the village.
Revd Lynda added,
“What this project continues to show is that partnership is the key to success. Church, parish council, school, pub, and the wider community have all come together with a shared purpose. As the church leads this forward, it is yet another expression of outreach - a reminder that being church extends far beyond the walls of the building.”
This article is taken from the latest edition of WePray.
