Environment and Sustainability

Southwell Minster is committed to sustainability and protecting our environment. We strive to reduce our carbon footprint through responsible waste management and the use of sustainable materials in maintenance and development. Our next large-scale project will be to install energy-efficient lighting throughout the Minster. This is a huge project in an ancient heritage building; through funding we aim to achieve this by 2030.

We are a Fair Trade cathedral, promote eco-friendly practices in our events and activities, and encourage biodiversity within our grounds. Our goal is to honour the beauty of our historic site while acting responsibly towards our planet.

Listening to the Leaves

Nestled within Southwell Minster's Chapter House are 'The Leaves of Southwell' - some of the finest medieval stone carvings in the world, celebrating the abundance of nature. They still speak to us today. Hawthorn, maple, oak, vine and buttercup from surrounding fields and forest are easily recognised. There are realistic and mythical creatures that would have figured in the lives of the men who carved them. Green men remind us that we too are entwined with nature. The Leaves celebrate this, and draw to mind our need to respect and care for the living world we inhabit.

Unlike the medieval masons who carved The Leaves in celebration of the natural world, we sense its decline. Greenhouse gas emissions have caused average global temperatures to rise, with a catalogue of devastating consequences. While we share that sense of wonder and gratitude, we also suffer climate anxiety, mourn our losses, and fear the results of what we have done.

With all of this in mind, here are some of the initiatives we are following.

  • Southwell Minster is a Partner in Action with A Rocha UK, a Christian charity working to protect and restore the natural world, and committed to equipping Christians and churches in the UK to care for the environment. In 2024 we achieved the Silver Award and aim to achieve the Gold Award by 2026. This work will lead to significant progress on our path to sustainability.
  • Southwell Minster owns and protects the Potwell Dyke Grasslands, 1.7 hectares of historically uncultivated remnants of the Archbishop of York’s deer park and hunting ground now designated a Site of Importance to Nature Conservation. We are grateful to the Potwell Dyke Action Group for tirelessly working on this important site.
  • Land to the east of Southwell Minster, variously the site of a Roman villa, an Anglo-Saxon burial ground, farmland and more recently school buildings, was generously gifted to Southwell Minster when the school was redeveloped. Under the name of Higgons Mead its use is now committed to nature conservation once essential flood mitigation works are complete.
  • Recent years have seen extensive and sympathetic development of the Archbishop’s Palace Garden, popular among visitors, gardeners and botanists.
  • Southwell Minster’s Churchyard is a notable space enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. Our commitment to supporting biodiversity is on display as areas of it are returned to more diverse habitats.
  • Prayer and Worship. Anyone attending a service at Southwell Minster will quickly discover that concern for God’s Creation is woven into our regular services. In addition, we explicitly celebrate the Season of Creation during September and early October, and every three months a leaflet suggesting prayers and intercessions is made available at a dedicated service. You can view the current and previous editions by viewing the Climate Prayers page.

A ROCHA logo

External links

In November 2020 Dean Nicola welcomed protesters marching in support of COP-26 into Southwell Minster. Prayers and expressions of hope were collected and put on display.

Dean Nicola welcoming protesters marching in support of COP-26

We are in active partnership with:
Southwell Town Council
Green Southwell
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust

Among other achievements, these partnerships have enabled the installation of some thirty swifts’ nesting boxes on Minster property and homes elsewhere in the town.