As part of its Biodiversity: Every Garden Counts initiative, the Parish Council is helping to create more wildlife-friendly spaces on its own land, including Peel Park, just off Keeds Lane. Since 2017 areas above the football pitches in Peel Park have been left un-mown, and gradually, flower and grass species have increased whilst crickets, grasshoppers, bees and butterflies have returned to feed and breed in these patches of long grass. Excitingly, a pyramidal orchid burst into bloom here in summer 2021, and we hope others will follow suit.

In early April 2022, two areas stretching from the small pond towards Fenns Lane and covering approx 750sq metres was sown with wildflower seeds. The LANCE Trust co-ordinated the project on behalf of the Parish Council and enlisted the help of a professional gardener to expose 50% or more of bare earth to allow the wildflower seeds to germinate. The help of local volunteers including excited groups of Brownies scattered the seed and although the seeds were hit with a dry, hot few weeks, there were flowers in bloom by May.

In early spring 2023, volunteers planted a mix of wild carrot, knapweed and field scabious plugs but, again, hot dry weather may have made life difficult for them. However, by mid-summer 2023, a flush of yellow rattle had been spotted along with a host of hawkweed, ox-eye daisy, bugle, self heal, red dead nettle and many other species. Once again, the long grasses give plenty of opportunity for grassland butterflies to lay their eggs and provide food for caterpillars and shelter for them to pupate. Who knows what will be found in summer 2024.

Since the UK's insect population has fallen sharply in the last 20 years, increasing habitat in these ways is vital to provide corridors through the landscape for a host of wildlife and allowing nature space to recover. Insects underpin much of life on earth so if we can look after them, many other species will benefit too.

In early April 2022, two areas stretching from the small pond towards Fenns Lane and covering approx 750 sq metres was sown with wildflower seeds. The LANCE Trust co-ordinated the project on behalf of the Parish Council.

Work to prepare the site took place in late March, when Darran McLane of Bloom Gardening Bristol cut the ground vegetation hard back to expose 50% or more of bare earth to allow the wildflower seeds some room to germinate. After that, the earth was lightly raked to create grooves in which the seed could settle and groups of Brownies, local volunteers and trustees from the LANCE Trust scattered the seed. The next few weeks were hot and dry so not great for germination but by May there were flowers in bloom.

Both groups of Long Ashton Brownies joined in to help sow the seed mix, which contained 18 species of wild flowers – including lesser knapweed and ox-eye daisies as well as the wonderful, sweet-smelling vernal grass that will evoke memories of long-lost hayfields for those those lucky enough to remember them. All species should be able to thrive in the clay soils found in Peel Park.

A pollen and nectar count for Plantlife revealed one particularly rich square metre contained 30 daisies, 6 common mouse ear and 20 mouse ear hawkweed. If this were replicated across this entire grassy area, it would support 500 hour-long foraging flights for an adult bumblebee or 2 entire bumblebee colonies for a day. The total pollen could support 321 mining bee brood cells/larvae or 32 bumblebee larvae. More info can be found here

The bank may take four to five years to establish, but every year we should see a positive change that will help moths, bees and butterflies find their feet as well as providing a feast for our own eyes.Thank you to all the volunteers who helped to sow the bank – for wildlife and for the future.

🐝 The Long Ashton Nature and Community Trust (LANCE Trust) has been recognised for their efforts to create a more pollinator-friendly environment in Long Ashton including Peel Park. Trustees and volunteers received the Bee Bold award in the 'People for nature' category from the Metro Mayor, Dan Norris.

🐝 The Bee Bold awards are part of the West of England Combined Authority's initiative to support biodiversity and tackle the climate emergency. The awards celebrate the achievements of individuals, groups, schools and businesses who have taken action to help pollinators thrive in the region.

🐝 As part of the Every Garden Counts initiative, the parish council approached the LANCE Trust to see how Peel Park could be made more wildlife friendly and act as an inspiration to others. The LANCE Trust came up with a plan that was agreed by the council's Environment Committee. The Trust approached a contractor so that the banks could be strimmed back hard and purchased appropriate seeds. The Trust also gave Brownies the chance to sow their own individual patches of seed on the banks.

🐝 Since then, the Trust and volunteers have added plug plants this year to boost the planting and monitored the site with both a pollen count and butterfly count to show what progress is being made. This work will be on-going. The Parish Council bought the raw materials (the seeds, plug plants and paid for the contractor), the LANCE Trust provided the expertise, volunteers and facilitated the project. As a result, the whole community was offered the chance to get involved in making Peel Park a haven for pollinators.

🐝 The project has been a success, attracting a variety of bees, butterflies and other insects to the wildflower bank. The LANCE Trust also runs educational activities and events to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators and how to protect them.

🐝 The award was presented by Metro Mayor Dan Norris at the Climate Hub in Hartcliffe on 13 June 2023. The Climate Hub is a community-led space that showcases local solutions to the climate crisis and offers workshops, talks and activities for all ages.

🐝 Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: "I'm delighted to present this award to the Long Ashton Parish Council and the LANCE Trust for their fantastic work including their project in Peel Park. They have shown how we can all make a difference by creating pollinator-friendly spaces in our gardens, parks and public places. Pollinators are vital for our food security, our health and our wellbeing, and they need our help more than ever. I hope this project will inspire others to join us in taking action for nature and our climate."

🐝 The LANCE Trust said: "We are very proud to receive this award and we thank the Metro Mayor and the West of England Combined Authority for recognising our efforts. We also thank the Long Ashton Parish Council, the Environment Committee, the contractor, the Brownies and all the volunteers who have contributed. We are passionate about supporting pollinators and we hope that Peel Park and our other work will be a model for other key stakeholders within the Parish to get engaged and do their own bit to help nature recover here. We invite everyone to visit Peel Park and enjoy the beauty and diversity of life that it offers. Follow LANCE Trust and check out their website to keep up to date with our news and projects at www.lancetrust.org

West of England Combined Authority

Watch the bee-utiful video!