RESIDENTS in Brockhill gathered on Tuesday for the official unveiling of an information board, citing five years of work on a wildlife project.
Those living in Dairy Lane and Appletree Lane were inspired by the Pollinator Initiative which Redditch Borough and Worcestershire County Councils signed up to.
The scheme aims to reverse the decline in pollinating insects, such as bees and butterflies, and improve habitat options for these insects, small mammals and birds.
Redditch still has much green space and Brockhill now joins other similar small scale projects in Headless Cross, Webheath and Barnt Green in Bromsgrove.
These highlight the importance of preserving and protecting even small spaces to maintain connectivity for wildlife as green areas become more fragmented.
The Brockhill wildlife project began five years ago and since then, 30 trees have been planted, including five birch trees, six fruit trees and an oak tree for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
More than 10,000 spring flowering bulbs and wild flowers, including daffodils and wild garlic, and eight metres of hedging have also been introduced and there have been bird boxes installed in the area.
The project was the brainchild of Mark Whitworth and Shirley Jobson. They then approached Coun Brandon Clayton to discuss the idea.
Coun Clayton used £1,500 of his Worcestershire County Council divisional fund. Then he and fellow councillor Coun Salman Akbar donated another £500, as did Coun Joe Baker. Further funds were raised through residents coming together for plant and produce sales.
Shirley said: “We hope the trees and bulbs will flourish largely unaided in future years, enhancing the area for wildlife and residents.
“However, we also recognised from the start that year-round awareness of the needs of nature was critical and for this we wanted an information board to show the many passers-by what could be seen in the area.
“We also want to show the area is cared for, encouraging respect for its many – sometimes unseen – inhabitants.”
Shirley and Mark thanked Redditch Borough Council and Worcestershire County Council for their generous funding, in particular Coun Clayton who, the pair said, had been incredibly supportive from the start. And they thanked local residents and the Brockhill Residents Association.
Shirley added: “It has been a real community effort which this spring has brought its rewards.”
The information board was unveiled by Coun Clayton.
He said: “The area has changed so much since when Mark and the residents first approached me about it.
“It has been turned into a habitat for wildlife and a place of beauty for everyone to enjoy for many years to come.
“Everybody involved should all be proud of what has been achieved – I wish there were more areas like this across Redditch.”
