GARDENERS GO GREEN
19 May 2003
People who have recently moved into homes in Priory Vale had the opportunity to find out more about sustainable gardening and plant up their own containers at a workshop run by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
The workshop, held at the Priory Vale visitor centre, was the first of a series of events organised by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust with the support of Priory Vale's developers.
Green Gardening Officer Maggie McDonald introduced Priory Vale residents to various aspects of environmentally friendly container gardening. 'Our gardens can be fantastic havens for wildlife. The workshop has looked at how we can provide homes and food for birds and butterflies, grow our own herbs and vegetables and even how to make compost. By using peat-free compost we have helped wildlife further afield. The event has also been a great way for people to meet their new neighbours,' said Maggie.
To help them make a start with their own new gardens, everyone on the course planted up their own container, which they were able to take home.
Priory Vale's developers will be sponsoring another similar green gardening event for Priory Vale residents in July, and a series of wildlife talks in the autumn, all run by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. Anyone living in Priory Vale who wants to attend can find out more from Catherine Rice.
"We've been careful to create special conservation zones throughout Priory Vale to ensure people can live alongside the many protected species of wildlife and plants in the area, so we are delighted to be working with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust to encourage people to take a green approach to their gardens," said Lorraine Palmer, speaking for Priory Vale's developers.
Badgers, slow worms, Great Crested Newts and rare orchids are all found in Priory Vale. To help them thrive, sixteen acres of meadowland have been left undisturbed, six old ponds will be retained around the site and seven new ones created. Priory Vale's developers have also preserved over 10 miles of ancient hedgerows to provide wildlife corridors across the development.
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