The members of Point in View Chapel, in Exmouth, Devon, have planted a small fruit orchard as part of their commitment to God’s creation and their own stewardship of the environment.

After morning worship, they were joined by friends from other churches and local environmental groups to plant apple, pear, plum, apricot and greengage trees, and three young oaks.

The chapel's Minister, the Revd Martin John Nicholls, said: "Point in View is set in this beautiful three-acre meadow which we manage with great care. It's a tiny part of just three per cent of wild meadow that still survives in the UK, so we cherish it.”

Point in View Chapel has been awarded a Silver Eco Church Award by the A Rocha Foundation.

Revd Nicholls added: "The natural world is a gift from God, and we are planting these trees in faith, gratitude and humility, to help provide future generations with food and clean air."

More than 200 years old and set on the hill overlooking Exmouth and the Exe Estuary, the independent chapel was built by local congregationalists Jane and Mary Parminter as an alms house for destitute women and their children.

The Parminters also built an extraordinary home for themselves nearby called A La Ronde - now a National Trust property.

_{Images: Martin Nicholls/Point in View Chapel
Published: 19 February 2020}