A total of almost £60,000 is awarded to 18 environmental projects in the region through BIG’s Breathing Places programme. The cash will enable groups to showcase their green spaces to the local community and attract volunteers by holding fun events for people of all ages.
Many of the activities funded will be taking place over the BBC’s Springwatch Dirty Weekend on the 6 and 7 June, which will see people up and down the country joining in to look after their local breathing place, and do their bit for nature.
Chris Packham, BBC Springwatch presenter, said:
"Going outside, getting my hands dirty and making a difference for wildlife is probably the most satisfying thing about my job. And The Dirty Weekend is all about getting people across the UK to do the same. We would like thousands of you to get muddy, grubby and downright dirty doing one thing for nature. Because if everyone gets stuck in and does just one thing, then over one weekend together we'll make a big difference."
In Nottingham, Stonebridge City Farm receives a grant of £4,997 to host a series of wildlife events and work with the community to develop new habitats. Visitors will be able to help create a mini-beast corner, install a pond-dipping platform and carry out planting.
Stonebridge City Farm offers training and work experience in horticulture and animal husbandry to young people and adults with learning disabilities. It also serves as an educational resource for schools and provides a valuable green space in an urban environment.
Jo Swann from the Stonebridge Farm Association said:
“This grant will allow us to run community wildlife events and make improvements to our existing nature trail. On June 6 we will be hosting a Moth and Bat Open Evening, which will be free for all.
“Later that week, on June 11 we will be holding a Wildlife Activity Day for local school children, facilitated by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. We are delighted to be working with the local community again to further develop and maintain our breathing place.”
In Burton on the Wolds, Leicestershire, a host of family fun is planned at the community woodland known as the Fishponds Plantation. The area is much-loved by local people for its snowdrops and bluebells, and is a popular walk.
Burton on the Wolds, Cotes and Prestwold Parish Council will use their grant of £2,110 to host an Open Day and Family Fun Day in the woodland from midday on 7 June, to celebrate achievements at the site and recruit volunteers. Activities around the theme of Alice in Wonderland will include story-telling, a nature trail, fancy dress parade and opportunities to learn about wildlife and woodland conservation with nest box workshops and willow weaving.
Committee member Catherine Thomson said:
“Having used a previous Breathing Places award for essential maintenance and to increase the woodland’s biodiversity, this grant enables us to celebrate all that has been achieved, and involve more people in the future of the site.
“Prior to the event, local children will plant native wild species suited to woodland and hedgerow in the part of the wood that borders their school grounds, and Loughborough University students will create a story circle.
“Admission to the Open Day is free, and there is plenty of off road parking. If people want to come for the day, they are welcome to bring a picnic.”
All the projects receiving awards today were originally developed with grants from previous rounds of BIG’s Breathing Places programme. This latest Lottery funding will enable them to develop their projects further and get the wider community involved.
Mick McGrath, Big Lottery Fund Head of Region for the East Midlands, said:
“Thanks to this joint initiative between BIG and the BBC, more people across the region have a Breathing Place near them, where they can enjoy everything nature has to offer. We want to encourage communities to make the most of these green spaces – to get involved, have fun and perhaps even volunteer to help maintain them for future generations".
Over the weekend of 6-7 June, the BBC Breathing Places campaign will encourage thousands of people to enjoy the great outdoors and get their hands dirty doing one thing for nature, transforming where they live. Supported by Springwatch and by BBC Local Radio, there will be a fun packed Dirty Weekend event happening near to where you live. For further details visit bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces
Full list of Breathing Places grants announced in East Midlands today:
|
Applicant |
Project |
Location |
Award |
|
Friends of Asfordby Gardens and Wildlife Association |
Ashfordby Wildflower Meadow |
Ashfordby, Melton Mowbray |
£2,750 |
|
Braunston Parish Council |
Jetty Field |
Braunston, Daventry |
£2,397 |
|
Burton on the Wolds, Cotes and Prestwold Parish Council |
Burton on the Wolds Plantation |
Burton-on-the-Wolds, Loughbrough |
£2,110 |
|
Friends of Chaddesden Park |
Chaddesden Park Nature Reserve |
Chaddesden, Derby |
£5,000 |
|
Woodnewton - a Learning Community |
Go Grow Garden |
Corby, Northamptonshire |
£4,940 |
|
Holbrook Centre for Autism |
Nether Lea Wood |
Holbrook, Derbyshire |
£1,228 |
|
Braunstone Town Council |
Franklin Park Community Orchard, Meadow Area and Wildlife Pond |
Leicester |
£1,603 |
|
Hartsholme Country Park Advisory Group |
Hartsholme Country Park |
Lincoln |
£3,142 |
|
The Whitworth Trust |
Whitworth Park Lake |
Matlock, Derbyshire |
£2,580 |
|
Matlock Town Council |
Denefields |
Matlock, Derbyshire |
£1,976 |
|
The Friends Of Colwick Woods |
Colwick Woods |
Nottingham |
£1,945 |
|
The Stonebridge Farm Association |
Stonebridge City Farm |
Nottingham |
£4,997 |
|
Pinewood Infant School and Foundation Unit |
Pinewood Hideaway |
Nottingham |
£1,300 |
|
Greater Nottingham Groundwork Trust |
Pearmain Cutting |
Nottingham |
£4,960 |
|
Big Wood School |
Busy BEAZ Garden |
Nottingham |
£3,798 |
|
Oundle CE Primary School |
Oundle Oasis |
Oundle, Peterborough |
£5,000 |
|
South Holland Enterprise for the Disabled |
Glen Park |
Spalding, Lioncolnshire |
£5,000 |
|
Wellingore Parish Council |
Come to The Quarry |
Wellingore, Lincoln |
£5,000 |
TOTAL |
|
|
£59,726 |
