Mayor of Patchway opens Pretoria Road Allotment Pollinator Project

The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) Community funded Pollinator Project at Pretoria Road Allotments was officially opened on Saturday 5^th July by the Mayor of Patchway, Cllr Dayley Lawrence with Claire Hazelgrove MP in attendance.

The £31,000 project which started in 2023 has totally transformed an unloved and barren corner of the allotment site into a vibrant wildlife haven and new spaces for learning and growing for diverse groups across the community.

Two new polytunnels with accessible paths enable inclusive access for allotment users, schools, and community groups, whilst interior spaces have new benches and beds.

One polytunnel will enable year-round planting and nurturing of seedlings across the winter and summer months which will then be transplanted to the newly created wildlife habitats across the site. The second polytunnel is for use by local schools and community groups to use for learning about growing and food production.

A new pond has been created and also a new bog garden area to increase biodiversity at the site. Innovative no dig beds have been created using environmentally responsible materials, and a new seating area with wooden benches will welcome visitors to the site.

A new orchard with established trees and younger whips will support a learning and growing programme for allotment users and young people. A wildflower area has been prepared which bursts into life in the spring and summer months.

Pretoria Road Allotment Society and Patchway Town Council worked in partnership in on this exciting project that includes new facilities and capacity for community and educational use to increase awareness of food growing, and creating diverse wildlife habitats for pollinators.

Since the start of the project in summer 2023, volunteers from the Pretoria Road Allotment Society have invested many hours of time in the project supported by Council groundstaff.

Mayor of Patchway Cllr Dayley Lawrence said,’ This is a fantastic project. Not only has it provided excellent new facilities and thriving wildlife habitats on the allotment site, it has shown the whole town how partnership working, volunteer commitment, and grant funding is so powerful’.

Chair of Pretoria Road Allotment Society Claire Nicholl said,’ We had a wonderful day marking this stage in our project as our building comes to fruition. We are so proud of the work our volunteers have put into this project, this has been a true labour of love for our community. It’s not just about plants — it’s about creating a welcoming, inclusive space where people, wildlife, and future generations can grow together. We now look forward to being able to use this space and see how it grows in the years ahead.’

The project has been funded by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) Community Pollinator Fund contributing to tackling the climate and ecological emergencies by providing £1 million to promote and fund community-led projects that enhance biodiversity and pollinator habitats across the region, and empower and engage communities to take action.

For more information visit https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/what-we-do/environment/bee-and-pollinator-capital/community-pollinator-fund/