We recently had the pleasure of catching up with one of our dedicated volunteers, Deryn, and were delighted to present her with a generous donation of wildflower seeds from Wild Wales Seeds to coincide with this years National Gardening Week.
Deryn has lived in the Buttrills area of Barry since 2019 and has always nurtured a love for gardening. Close to her home lies a once-overlooked patch of land that she and fellow volunteers have transformed with care and creativity. By embracing the natural beauty of dandelions and long grasses, they’ve created a welcoming haven for pollinators and minibeasts. Vibrant plants now bring colour and charm, and the trees are already producing fruit, including pears and plums.
Deryn reflected on how this transformation has helped bring the local community closer together.
‘When we started the wildlife garden in October 2023, with the help of a material donation from Keep Wales Tidy – neighbours met neighbours. We enjoyed the construction, planting and chatting. Many species were introduced, both native and cultivars with a benefit to nature and us. The grass (9 varieties) and other plants do not get mown, this provides invaluable habitat for invertebrates.
‘Here’s a white tip bumble bee having a well-earned siesta’.
‘This little area is a source of mild pride for all us neighbours, with the blue bench and the cherry tree providing a lovely meeting point. And I smile when I notice van drivers slowing down to have a look… Often people will stop, admire and ask. There has been something flowering right through the year thanks to thoughtful donations by neighbours, including fruit trees. The project is still young but has encouraged neighbours to join in with flowers and plants in gardens and on
balconies all along Buttrills Walk’.
‘It doesn’t take masses of effort, a bit of litter picking and some seasonal attention to bring a smile, and a wonder’…
It’s thanks to projects like this, that residents are able to get out and meet people they may not otherwise have spoken with and in some cases, develop a newfound love and knowledge for our natural environment.
Diolch!