Families enjoy urban wildflower sowing session on city open space

Around 120 local people visited a green space in a Peterborough housing estate on Saturday to sow the seeds for a wildflower meadow.
Seeding a community area at Sugar Way, Woodston are  Cllr Andy Coles with twins  Rex and Leo Greenaway (5). Picture: David LowndesSeeding a community area at Sugar Way, Woodston are  Cllr Andy Coles with twins  Rex and Leo Greenaway (5). Picture: David Lowndes
Seeding a community area at Sugar Way, Woodston are Cllr Andy Coles with twins Rex and Leo Greenaway (5). Picture: David Lowndes

The City Council has allocated a plot of land on the central green area on Sugar Way in Woodston for residents to lead a community project in partnership with Peterborough Environment City Trust.

The project is designed to increase biodiversity in the local area and educate children of the importance of bees and insects, says one of the co-ordinators, Andrew Willey, who has lived on the estate since it was built 16 years ago.

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He says it was his overall vision: “We have lots of green spaces on the estate that are closely mown grass.”

Seeding a community area at Sugar Way, Woodston are organisers Andrew Willey, Cllr Andy Coles and Tony Cook.Seeding a community area at Sugar Way, Woodston are organisers Andrew Willey, Cllr Andy Coles and Tony Cook.
Seeding a community area at Sugar Way, Woodston are organisers Andrew Willey, Cllr Andy Coles and Tony Cook.

PECT has supplied the seed.

“We have been clearing the site ready for sowing,” said Andrew. “We have taken the grass away and wil take any cuttings away each year to help this native mix of wildflowers establish and grow back.

“It is right next to a residential area, a park and the walking hub on the estate and has been gaining a lot of interest.

“We invited local residents to come along, many with children, in timed slots of five to 10 minutes between 10am and 2pm on Saturday to allow fo social distancing.”

Seeding a community area at Sugar Way, Woodston are Gavin and Jessica Slater.Seeding a community area at Sugar Way, Woodston are Gavin and Jessica Slater.
Seeding a community area at Sugar Way, Woodston are Gavin and Jessica Slater.

There were 41 families booked in.

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He was disappointed that they could not have more of a community gathering but the pandemic could not allow that and so was content with engaging with the children and hopefully will see the wildflowers grow up in the summer.

Andrew has volunteered with community group Woodtson In Action over the last six years and done litter picks.

The financial adviser has a degree in landscape management and said: “I always had an interest in nature and trying to educate children and the opportunity arose.”

The grass area on Sugar Way earmarked for a wildflower meadow. EMN-210423-161054001The grass area on Sugar Way earmarked for a wildflower meadow. EMN-210423-161054001
The grass area on Sugar Way earmarked for a wildflower meadow. EMN-210423-161054001

He said the city council saves by not having to carry out six grass cuts a year there, instead just strimming the flowers once a year. If successful it may be rolled out to other green areas: “There are lots of walkways that would look nice with wildflower margin. Hopefully we can link in with the local school,” he said.