Wandlebury abuzz as New Pollinator Garden Opens

Local charity Cambridge Past, Present & Future has created a pollinator garden at Wandlebury Country Park. The new garden was officially opened by Professor Ed Turner, Curator of Insects at Cambridge University Museum of Zoology, who spoke about the link between plants and pollinators and how important it is to help insects, which are in global decline.

The garden has been built in a sheltered area of the park to create a peaceful place where visitors can appreciate the flowers and the insects that pollinate them. A beautiful hand-made oak bench has been installed next to the garden. The flower bed is backed by a charismatic 18th-century wall and this is being used to display butterfly plaques designed by celebrated nature artist Eleanor Chaney.

Cambridge Past, Present & Future is encouraging people to get involved with the garden and to help support the charity’s work by dedicating a plaque to celebrate a special person or event. Donors can choose a plaque inspired by four native British butterflies by making a suggested donation of £199. See here for more information about the pollinator garden and how to order www.cambridgeppf.org/appeal/butterfly-plaques

James Littlewood, CEO of Cambridge Past, Present & Future is delighted “we are incredibly grateful for all the help we have received; the garden was designed by a volunteer and alongside our staff team, volunteers have to helped to dig out the new bed, lay a new path and plant the flowers. They are also now working hard weeding and watering so that the garden can get established. We hope that visitors to the park will be inspired to help pollinating insects in their own garden or window box.”

The construction of the garden has been supported by grants from South Cambridge District Council Community Chest and the Cambridge Water Pebble Fund.

The garden is part of Wandlebury Country Park just 2 miles from the city centre. There are 140-acres of woodland, meadows and fields open dawn til dusk every day of the year and is free to enter with a small car parking charge for non-members. Supported by a warden service visitors can enjoy a games field, den building, discover wildlife in the viewing hide and book a BBQ area. There is a wildlife pond, 8km of paths, off road mobility scooter and a toilet. A pop-up café is onsite 10-5pm every Thursday – Sunday and every day in school holidays. Dogs are very welcome and must be kept on a lead at all times.

Image credits  https://www.creativeeye.me.uk/