A JOINT project to get different groups to contribute to a community diary has been launched in Dunmow. The first pages of Diary of a Churchyard 2010 were cobbled together by Dunmow St Mary s Primary School Year Three children and unveiled at Dunmow Lib

A JOINT project to get different groups to contribute to a community diary has been launched in Dunmow.

The first pages of 'Diary of a Churchyard 2010' were cobbled together by Dunmow St Mary's Primary School Year Three children and unveiled at Dunmow Library earlier this month. The diary is the joint project between St Mary's Church and the library in White Street.

It draws inspiration from Edith Holden's The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady which combines wildlife observations, illustrations, poems and other sayings about the months of the year and wildlife.

Vicar of St Mary's, Canon David Ainge, believes the project will strengthen the connections between the church and the wider town community. He said: "I hope that this project will help to do this by encouraging a greater community interest in the wildlife and history of St Mary's Churchyard, and to celebrate local creativity."

Different groups have a month to contribute material for display on a large notice board in the library and as pages in the collective community diary.

For the January display the children from St Mary's School created artwork inspired by their visits to the church and churchyard. They used their pictures to make a wonderful stained glass window for the library.

As part of the project they also took part in a workshop led by tutors from Writtle College, resulting in the creation of map sticks and poems that feature in the diary.

Library supervisor Glenda Mcoyd said: "We are delighted to be involved with this project. The children's display brightens up the entrance reading corner. We do hope library visitors will take time to look through the diary and will want to contribute material to the project."

Dunmow St Mary's Primary School headteacher, Val White, said: "The school has a very close relationship with St Mary's Church and our involvement in this project will help to develop children's understanding of the role of the church within the local community.

"We have really enjoyed the activities so far and look forward to many more exciting and informative projects.