Gardeners and Scouts join forces for wildlife project

LOUGHBOROUGH Scouts built bird boxes, bug hotels and bird feeders for the Forest Road Green Belt and the benefit of wildlife in the area.

Forest Road gardeners Pat and Harry Cook, the 7th Loughborough (Emmanuel) Scout Group and idverde’s Mid- land’s horticultural development manager Nicola Clarke came together for an evening DIY session.

Together, a great deal of fun - and mess! - was had making natural bird feeders from pine cones and cut up apples which Harry hung onto a frame for the birds to enjoy.

Whilst one group were busy making the bird feeders, another were having just as much fun constructing bird boxes and other Scouts enjoyed creat- ing a colourful bug hotel out of a piece of wood.

After a lot of hard work, all sat down for tea, juice and homemade cake.

Nicola Clarke said: “It is an absolute privilege to work with local community groups such as the Forest Road Gardeners and the 7th Loughborough (Emmanuel) Scout Group, who engage with each other with such enthusiasm in their efforts to improve the local environment for the benefit of others and wildlife alike.”

This year’s Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom campaign is Greening Grey Britain for Wildlife - where communities are encouraged to transform grey spaces into great green places for people and wildlife using plants, community action and enthusiasm.

For more information, search ‘Greening Grey Britain’ at www.rhs.org.uk

Pictured are Scouts making natural bird feeders from pine cones.

Pictured are the 7th Loughborough (Emmanuel) Scout Group with Pat Cook, second row from second from the left, and Harry Cook, back holding the bird frame.

Pictured, from left to right, are Pat Cook and members of the Scouts Group working on a bug hotel.

Pictured is Midland’s horticultural development manager Nicola Clarke (right) making natural bird feeders with a member of the Scout Group.