Centrica and the Community: Bringing Biodiversity to Sawyer’s Close
The Centrica team and I learnt so much from the experts at Green Earth Plan and Abri, and it was really rewarding to see the difference that our time had made. The satisfaction of lifting the final piece of turf from the soon-to-be wildflower corner was a particular highlight for me and I felt so proud when members of the Sawyer’s Close community came out to admire our handywork and wanted to get stuck in themselves! It was a privilege to meet our neighbours, whose home I had walked past so many times – and to share in their enthusiasm for that home was even better.
The Centrica Team of Volunteers
A blog post for Green Earth Plan by Hannah Blanchard - January 2022
“Last Autumn, my team and I headed over to our neighbours at Sawyer’s Close. Our mission? To help Green Earth Plan enhance the biodiversity of the site and make it a more accessible and enjoyable space for the community. ”
I’m not quite sure how many times I made the commute to our Centrica office in Windsor before the pandemic started. But I’d happily tell you it was ‘a fair few’! Four tower blocks face the office and, without fail, I’ve always looked over to note the grass and trees that grow in their shadow.
Not being a Windsor local myself, I can’t say I was too familiar with the site – nor the residents who call Sawyer’s Close home. So, when the opportunity came for us to visit and lend a hand in developing their community gardens, I was rather excited.
At Centrica, we’re committed to helping create a more inclusive and sustainable future that supports communities, our planet and each other. It’s all part of our People & Planet Plan, and is something that I’m passionate about on a personal level too. We want to enable the transition to a lower carbon future, and we don’t want to see anybody left behind. So, where better to start with our support than right on our doorstep?
Last Autumn, my team and I headed over to our neighbours at Sawyer’s Close to offer that support. Our mission? To help Green Earth Plan enhance the biodiversity of the site and make it a more accessible and enjoyable space for the community.
‘The Wildflower Bed’ (hopefully we’ll see some beautiful colours coming through soon!)
Under the incredible supervision of Green Earth Plan and Abri, our team of 9 split ourselves across a few different activities. We got stuck in throughout the afternoon and we definitely earnt our dinners!
One group headed over to the community orchard to create a wildflower bed. We marked out the shape of the bed using string, before cutting and lifting the turf so that we could plant wildflower seeds. Not only will the wildflowers make the area more beautiful for residents and passers-by alike, they’ll also encourage bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to the orchard – which is beneficial both to the trees and overall biodiversity.
We even made good use of the turf that we lifted out! Access to orchard was a little restricted; the narrow path was tricky to navigate for those less physically able, so we widened it and repositioned the turf at the entrance of the orchard to create a more level approach route.
Others in the team worked on a biodiversity area. They positioned, embedded, and varnished logs for natural seating – which in turn will also help to protect the current tree stump habitats from potential damage. The group also added various plants and bulbs to enhance the space.
“My new skill? Being able to create seats out of tree stumps!” – Sarah Wright
The team and I learnt so much from the experts at Green Earth Plan and Abri, and it was really rewarding to see the difference that our time had made. The satisfaction of lifting the final piece of turf from the soon-to-be wildflower corner was a particular highlight for me and I felt so proud when members of the Sawyer’s Close community came out to admire our handywork and wanted to get stuck in themselves! It was a privilege to meet our neighbours, whose home I had walked past so many times – and to share in their enthusiasm for that home was even better.
“I really enjoyed taking time out to support a community that’s right on our doorstep – not only was it great to help transform the orchard and woodland area, but it was rewarding to see local residents interested and happy in what we were doing.” – Natalie Robinson
‘Team with Tools’ (I promise we used them for more than just props!)
I’m so grateful for the opportunity we had to make a difference in our community. Everybody came away with new skills, knowledge, and an appreciation for our local area. Oh, and thankfully a smile. Although, we were certainly in need of a good shower and sleep after all that digging!
Would you like to help transform a community space in your local area? Then why not join our Urban Greening Campaign ‘Green Up Our Streets’ and make a difference for people and the planet. You can read more about how to get involved here
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Bringing nature back to an unloved alleyway…
Overgrown and frequently filled with leftover building materials, the alleyways have become forgotten parts of the neighbourhood. But when humans move out, nature moves in. And with careful local management, the alleyways can become mini wildlife havens that improve the community for all. This was an issue – and an opportunity – that was recognised by Love My Street.
A selection of flowers grown in the St Leonards Avenue alleyway, following it’s transformation by local residents
A blog post for Green Earth Plan by Love My Street - October 2021
“A tired and unwelcoming space was transformed into a bright and colourful haven in which wildlife could thrive and residents could enjoy”
Central Windsor isn’t typically considered as an area with great potential for nature. With its dense network of residential streets, shops and offices, there are few signs that wildlife can thrive here if given a chance. But nestled amongst the Victorian terraces lie a series of neglected alleyways that offer huge potential. Whilst 100 years ago these alleyways were used as important access routes for homeowners, today they are mostly unused and unloved. Overgrown and frequently filled with leftover building materials, the alleyways have become forgotten parts of the neighbourhood. But when humans move out, nature moves in. And with careful local management, the alleyways can become mini wildlife havens that improve the community for all. This was an issue – and an opportunity – that was recognised by Love My Street.
Love My Street is an environmental initiative founded in Windsor that seeks to improve the lives of local people first and in turn, the planet. By approaching issues at a personal level – money, family, health and community – Love My Street seeks to help people help themselves in ways that then deliver environmental benefits, whether that’s saving money by switching to a green energy supplier or improving health by making cycling to school safer.
Andrew Elder, founder of Love My Street identified an alleyway in his street that fitted with his aims. ‘People’s health and wellbeing is inextricably linked with nature. ‘Greening’ spaces that are literally on our doorstep can have a positive effect on residents by connecting them with flora, fauna and wildlife. The alleyways in Windsor are hidden gems that can benefit communities and boost nature with a little bit of support plus teamwork from residents’.
The St Leonard’s Avenue alleyway before it’s transformation
The first alleyway to be targeted was in St Leonard’s Avenue. Left unmanaged for many years, it was a sad state – muddy, litter-filled and overgrown. This didn’t mean of course that nature wasn’t there – but the potential to make it so much better for insects, animals…and residents was significant. Through the creation of a Love My Street WhatsApp group for St. Leonard’s Avenue, many residents joined forces by clearing out the rubbish and getting the alleyway ready for planting in Spring. This was where the support from Green Earth Plan CIC was invaluable! GEP successfully championed for support from RBWM council; resulting in the alleyway’s planting plan being supplemented with wildflower seeds, bee hotels, bird boxes and so much more.
And what was the result? In short, dramatic! A tired and unwelcoming space was transformed into a bright and colourful haven in which wildlife could thrive and residents could enjoy. The wildflowers have contributed to a significant increase in pollinators, birds are using the bird boxes and the street’s resident hedgehogs have more space to thrive.
The Love My Street alleyway was supported by funding secured by Green Earth Plan CIC’s Green Up Our Street’s campaign
“Green Earth Plan has been a fantastic partner to the first Love My Street initiative. Without their help in securing funding, the alleyway’s transformation wouldn’t have been possible to the same extent. I look forward to working with Green Earth Plan in the future, bringing nature back to more areas of Central Windsor…and beyond!”
Would you like to transform an alleyway in Windsor or in your local area? Contact Love My Street via their Facebook page @LovemyStreeteco for resources, help and advice about this and other eco initiatives.
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Urban Islands for Our Pollinators
Implementing bee bus stops throughout the UK could really prove to be a strong foundation for repopulating pollinators of all species. To date, other countries around the world such as, Auckland, New Zealand and Hamburg, Germany intend to implement this bee-friendly idea in their cities. Now there are plans to bring these into the UK.
A blog post for Green Earth Plan by Andrew Pearson - March 2021
In the race to save our pollinators - why we need a bee bus stop campaign today!
Bee foraging - photo by Jenna Lee
Over the last decade there has been increasing concern for nature and the state of our eco systems across the world. There have been hundreds if not thousands of new designs of every day objects that have been redesigned to be more eco friendly. As a result of these actions, the city of Utrecht in Holland have redesigned the average bus stop into something that can really transform the population of pollinators.
The new Bee Stops have many benefits, to humans, insect populations and the economy as a whole. The most clear change on these bus stops are the new plantations on the roofs. The sedum plants are very hardy, frost resistant and multiple species will flower all year round. This provides the ability for pollinators to find food throughout the seasons. This makes sedum the best choice for this role.
Bee Stops also have other additional benefits, by collecting finer dust and particulates. Collecting rainwater which can be a water source for birds, a steady supply for the plants on the roof. Though these plants are not the only component to these new and improved bus stops. They are fitted with energy efficient LED's and a bamboo seat.
Implementing this new idea throughout the UK could really prove to be a strong foundation for repopulating pollinators of all species. To date, other countries around the world such as, Auckland, New Zealand and Hamburg, Germany intend to implement this bee-friendly idea in their cities. Now there are plans to bring these into the UK.
“Cardiff Council is re-designing roads in the city centre, to significantly improve the public transport infrastructure, improve opportunities for active travel (cycling and walking), as well as improve the air quality that we all breathe. As part of the plans, the council will be introducing bee bus stops in the city centre, where wild flowers and plants will be planted on the roof of specific bus stops to attract insects and most importantly bees.”
Bee Bus Stops in City of Utrecht in Holland
Within the city of Cardiff, wildflowers have been planted on top of 10 bus stops to attract city bees and give them urban foraging opportunities. These “bee bus stops” will also beautify the urban space and make it greener, which is pleasant for all residents, including bees. It is this ignition of a new idea that will pave the way for greener urban areas across the UK.
A positive response from an official council spokesman said: "Cardiff Council is re-designing roads in the city centre, to significantly improve the public transport infrastructure, improve opportunities for active travel (cycling and walking), as well as improve the air quality that we all breathe. As part of the plans, the council will be introducing bee bus stops in the city centre, where wild flowers and plants will be planted on the roof of specific bus stops to attract insects and most importantly bees." This is a very promising response, an attitude that must be adopted by other councils across the UK. New ideas are often rejected with scepticism, however it is these ideas that will truly make a positive difference for us all.
In addition to this positive response from Cardiff Council. In Kent, they are intending on improving the current condition of our pollinators by minimising the use of pesticides. As such, the KCC's environment and transport committee was told that several actions were taking place, including a review to "minimise" the use of pesticide, a substance used to destroy insects on agricultural and farmland.
Would you like to see bee-friendly bus stops installed in your area? Enquiring to your local council will encourage them to adopt this idea. Allowing us to live within a greener 2021 and the future ahead.
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