Young and old create oasis for wildlife
Joining the IYN scheme in 2010, the retired residents of Beauchamp Community already know a thing or two about gardening: their care and attention for the spaces around their homes received a ‘Level 5 - Outstanding’ award from the Heart of England in Bloom last year.
Praising the gardens after her visit, IYN assessor Angela Pendleton said, 'The gardens are remarkable and the pride of place was outstanding. They have some wonderful trees and plants, with each resident designing their own area - it’s one of the best kept secrets in Worcestershire!'
Volunteers pitch in to help retired residents
With the help of Malvern in Bloom and a band of young volunteers from three local charities, HANDS, HOPE and TG’s, the group has recently turned its attention to creating a wildlife garden in the overgrown three-acre paddock behind the former almshouses.
After an initial consultation with Malvern Hills Conservators on the resident flora and fauna, work started in summer 2010. A group of 40 enthusiastic volunteers set about clearing a footpath around the previously inaccessible site, installing new seating under an old coppiced ash and creating a composting area. There are plans for more work to start this spring, including the planting of trees and bulbs, and further uncovering of buried trees, collapsed arbours and overgrown shrubs.
'Something nice from something messy'
One 15-year-old working on the garden said, 'I've only ever helped my mum in the garden before and never done anything like this. It was great to work together with all the older folks and it made it really worthwhile to see the look on all their faces when we'd finished. It was great to be able to create something so nice from something so messy.'
Beauchamp warden, Lesley Lewis, believes the project has brought lots of new benefits for residents: 'We loved the idea of a wildlife garden; however, while the spirit was willing, the flesh was weak, as everyone here is retired. It was wonderful to have the help of the young volunteers and they’ve made such a difference. More and more of us now use the garden for relaxation or exercise, with a few good laps of the new footpath!'
Summing up the project, youth worker John Tinnion said, 'We had a fantastic day and it was highly satisfying for the team to get so much done. It’s a wonderful place with lots of hidden secrets: there’s a pair of large wrought iron gates back there which we think came over from Cologne Cathedral about 200 years ago!'