The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) Community funded Pollinator Project at Pretoria Road Allotments has reached a major milestone with the construction of two large polytunnels on the site in September.
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 will be available for local schools and community groups to use for learning about growing and food production.
The people behind the Patchway Pollinator Project at Pretoria Road Allotments have also been modelling branded clothing designed for the volunteers and team creating and using the new spaces created at the site.
The full project is will eventually include the two polytunnels, new allotment plots, no-dig beds, a new pond, orchard, wildflower area and increased habitats and biodiversity.
Chair of Pretoria Road Allotment Society, Claire Nicoll said, ‘With the dry weather, the Pretoria Road Allotment project has made significant progress with the installation of a new polytunnel and a community pond. Thanks to support from WECA and Patchway Town Council, volunteers now have branded clothing, enhancing our collective effort and community spirit.’
Mayor of Patchway Cllr Dayley Lawrence said, ‘I am really excited to see this fantastic project reach this significant milestone. We are all looking forward to these new facilities being used by the allotment plot holders and our local community’.
Patchway Town Council and Pretoria Road Allotment Society are working in partnership on this exciting project that will include new facilities and capacity for community and educational use to increase awareness of food growing, and creating diverse wildlife habitats for pollinators.
This project is 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/.
Images from Pretoria Road Allotment Society and Patchway Town Council
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