Neglected grassland set for transformation

A neglected area of grassland next to Ollerton Cemetery is to be transformed into a peaceful community and wildlife garden.

The former allotments off Forest Road have been allowed to degenerate into an eyesore since they were closed more than ten years ago.

However, a £10,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund means that they will now be given a new lease of life.

The money was initially refused because it was over-subscribed, but the lottery was so impressed by the project that they offered to fund it anyway.

The project is being co-ordinated by Mr Andy Hollis, who runs the environmental organisation Ecologic.

The land has been secured on a five-year lease, paid for by Ollerton charitable trust, the Pet Shop Girls.

Mr Hollis intends to plant hedges, trees and shrubs, create a bird, bee and butterfly garden and a wildlife pond with a dipping platform, as well as installing interpretation signs and creating teaching materials.

Mr Hollis, who has been involved in other environmental projects such as Wild Sherwood and Feel Good Foods, said: “We want to create an accessible community garden where people can sit back and relax, but the theme running throughout is wildlife gardening.

“Schools can get involved and come and use it to study. It will give people work experience opportunities and it will provide a good community space.”

The scheme will take on volunteers and work experience students to help complete the work, and link with the adult and community learning centre at Dukeries College.

Volunteers will learn practical skills such as hedgerow management, footpath maintenance and pond construction.

Mrs June Yates, of the Pet Shop Girls, thought the project would be a huge improvement.

She said: “I live across the road and I don’t want to look at this mess out of the window. It is an eyesore, but it could be lovely.

“It provides somewhere for people to sit and relax. It is their space.

“It can be a real focal point that has a wider community benefit.”

Volunteers are already being sought to help pull out dock plants before they take over the site.

A meeting to explain the project is being held at the Plough pub, Forest Road, at 6.30pm a week today. Anybody interested is welcome to attend.

For more information visit www.ecologic-cic.co.uk