Insect 'hotels' to open at Kingsclere community project

The project to create a wildlife area at the Growing2ogether (G2G) Project on Cottismore Park, Newbury Road was launched last Monday (March 10).
The £23,038 project was being led by The Newbury Community Resource Centre Limited. They run G2G, a community food growing and training programme, primarily for people with learning and physical disabilities and others who are at a disadvantage.
Volunteers involved with the project will develop it into a habitat and boost its biodiversity potential, particularly for insect and reptile species.
New paths, suitable for wheelchairs, and the installation of fencing and interpretation boards are included in plans. Trees and wildflowers will also be planted, and insect hotels, bird and bat boxes created, along with an outdoor classroom with benches - to be made available to visitors, local schools and groups.
Chief Executive of The Newbury Community Resource Centre Limited, Kelvin Hughes, said the project would improve the environment and benefit the local community adding:”We cannot wait to see it complete.”
Executive Director of funding body The Veolia Environmental Trust, Paul Taylor, adds, “Over the last five years we have awarded £1,932,722 to community and environmental projects in Hampshire, and it is great to hear that this one is starting.”
Plants and flowers used to create the wildlife area will cater for a range of visitor’s sensory requirements such as colour, perfume and tactility.