£10,000 boost to wildlife garden
Cash will help redevelop the garden close to the Old Rectory
LOUGHBOROUGH group, The Rectory Wildlife Gardeners, is celebrating after being awarded £10,000 in funding from the Severn Trent Community Fund to support its work in re-establishing the Rectory Wildlife Garden.
The group will use the cash to help redevelop the garden for the benefit of both local wildlife and Loughborough residents.
The garden lies between the parish church and the Old Rectory, to the rear of Fearon Hall.
The Rectory Wildlife Gardeners charity was been reformed since the completion of the residential development on Steeple Row, and it is now working with the borough council to bring the garden back to its former glory.
The council’s long-term plan is for the Wildlife Garden, Parish Green and Old Rectory to be connected as a continuous public open space, and it is proposing to construct new pathways within the garden.
The garden group, meanwhile, will continue to enhance the garden beyond the council’s standard provision for public spaces. and says the much welcomed grant from Severn Trent Water will help it achieve this goal.
Over the last year, with the assistance of the council and Prince’s Trust volunteers, the charity has drawn up designs for the garden, constructed a new pond and planted hedges, trees and plants.
The charity says it is also keen to recognize the support and hard work of Coun Jenny Bokor in helping to get the garden up and running, and also Adam Goodall of Charnwood Borough Council for his support and advice.
The new funding from the Severn Trent Community Fund, which awards grant money to improve the three elements of community wellbeing - people, places and environment – means there will now be a wonderful open space for everyone to enjoy and for improved biodiversity in the town centre.
John Dimmick, secretary of the charity, who dealt with Severn Trent throughout the various stages of the application said: “Sue Heyes at Severn Trent was professional, forensic and thoughtful throughout the grant process.
“She asked for all sorts of information and made sure Severn Trent fully understood the aims of the garden and what the charity was trying to achieve. We very much hope to invite her to the garden when the work is complete to show her what the grant has enabled us to do.”
Gideon Cumming, chair of the charity, says: “We’re absolutely delighted that the Severn Trent Community Fund has recognised our work in this way. We’re thankful to the Severn Trent Customer Panel for selecting us for funding so that we’ll be able to press on with our plans to improve this beautiful area in the centre of the historical part of Loughborough.
“With the efforts of the volunteers we will improve urban biodiversity and provide a tranquil space for Loughborough residents.”
Coun Bokor, cabinet lead member for Loughborough said: “I am really pleased that Severn Trent are supporting this community garden initiative. “It’s been great working with the Rectory Garden Community Group who have put in hours of voluntary physical work to get this project up and running.
“The wildlife garden will be a real asset to the local community who will be able to get involved whatever their age, so good for children and adults alike, who may not have access to their own garden. A place that brings the local community together. Well done to all those involved.”
Following the future lifting of the current coronavirus-19 restrictions the Rectory Wildlife Gardeners will recommence its monthly work parties on Saturday mornings during the winter, and weekly on Thursday evenings during the summer.
Working in the garden is great for mind and body, wildlife and community.
The charity welcomes new members and volunteers, and can be contacted by email at rectorygarden@outlook.com
You can follow progress on Instagram @rectorywildlifegarden and Twitter @RectoryWildlife