A green open space in Bulwell will be celebrating its £100,000 transformation with an official opening on Friday (11 November).
The former landfill site in Hoewood Road has a new lease of life and a new name – Bulwell Community Meadow – thanks to the £100,000 funding from WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd). The project has been championed by Graham Allen MP, led by Nottingham City Council and supported by local people, including children at Rufford School.
A ribbon will be cut at one of the new entrances on Bardney Drive, opposite the Coopers Arms public house, at 12.30pm on Friday. Afterwards local people will help plant the first three new trees for the site.
Work carried out over the past year to improve the site includes the addition of paths – both formal pathways and softer mown rides – along with a wildflower meadow.
Pupils at nearby Rufford School have been working with local artist Chris Campbell to design new seating and entrance features on a wildlife theme, including ladybirds, butterflies and flowers. There’s also a nature trail using natural history designs created by the children.
Steve Gribby, Construction Director at contractors Robert Woodhead Ltd, said: “It’s fantastic to work on a project that will truly benefit a community so positively. Bulwell Community Meadow has been transformed from an unusable site to a public space which offers local residents, young and old, a beautiful green area to play, run and walk in; or even just sit and watch the world go by. I know the local community will take great pride and care in this green space, especially the pupils of Rufford Primary School, who have made their mark on the meadow through their artwork.”
Councillor Dave Trimble, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, said: “The generous funding from WREN has enabled us to open up this area to create a pleasant natural area for the whole community to enjoy, with accessible paths and seats for people to rest and enjoy the surroundings. As the new wildflower meadow and trees get established they will enhance the surroundings for the wildlife already flourishing on site and help to attract even more.”
Graham Allen MP, who has campaigned to improve the site, said: “I am thrilled that we have finally got there with the co-operation of lots of wonderful friends, partner organisations and local residents. I am really pleased that we will now have a usable green space for residents to enjoy and that will be beneficial to the local nature and environment.”