The UK is one of THE most nature depleted countries in the world. We have lost 97% of our wildflower meadows, over 50% of our hedgerows, and 85% of our wetlands. Our wildlife is in dire need both in the countryside and in urban areas. It is vital that cities, towns and villages provide 'wild spaces' for nature where local wildlife can find shelter, habitat and food to help them survive. These little pockets become oases especially in urban settings where so much green spaces under threat.
For some time, we’ve been working with the Town Council and other Tetbury public bodies to help the local wildlife of Tetbury find shelter and food in our small wild areas and already the results have been extraordinary. You may have spotted areas planted with native meadow species and left unmown from May to September. We’ve also been helping Tetbury Library manage its grounds.
Tetbury Library project
Since the Library project began three years ago, more than 40 native wildflowers have come up in the wild verges and wildflower meadow with a sea of ox-eye daisies this summer which was lovely. These have included Scabious, Spear Thistle, Comfrey, and Yellow Rattle. It has also attracted over 40 different wildlife species - 10 different types of solitary bee, many butterfly species (Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Comma, Red Admiral to name a few), moths (including the striking Scarlet Tiger Moth), birds and even hedgehogs, frogs and bats! The Library team has had tremendous support from the local community, businesses and charities which means so much.
There has however been some concern among Close Gardens’ residents about how scruffy the spaces look at times. Along with the Library staff, Greening Tetbury has taken this on board and we’re working to find a compromise between supporting wildlife and avoiding the grounds looking totally uncared for. We’re weeding around the base of the hedging and putting mulch there, as well as trimming to encourage 'bushy' growth next year. The plan for the autumn/winter is to do an autumn meadow cut and remove the cuttings, to encourage more wildflowers next year, and to strim the borders of the hedges. The edges of the meadow will also be mown in future. We hope this will be an acceptable solution.
Update on Blue campaign
For a donation, Tetbury Mens’ Shed can make a wooden heart and mount it on a stick for you to plant among your own nature-friendly messy planting. Email greeningtetbury@gmail.com for eco-friendly blue paint.
Bamboo Straws
We have a number of new bamboo straws, some with hessian sleeves and some with cleaning brushes. They are available free (or you could give a small donation to a local charity of your choice.) They would make perfect small gifts or stocking fillers. If you’d like some, please email greeningtetbury@gmail.com.
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