Woodmancote in Warndon is revitalized. New fruit trees are planted, turning a neglected site into a community space.
Six new fruit trees now grow there. Apple and pear trees are among them. Features already existed on the site like raised beds and wildflowers. A bug hotel and bird boxes are also present.
Jill Desayrah worked with many groups, including Sanctuary and the Wildlife Trust. She is the Labour councillor for Warndon. Warndon schools also joined in. The goal was a shared community space.
Locals once called the site “the jungle” because it had become very overgrown with plants. By December 2022, people dumped rubbish there, making the space a fly-tipping location.
Desayrah learned about the “wasteland” two years ago and started a conversation about improvements. She is delighted by the site’s changes and hopes the community will use it more.
The goal is balance between nature and people. They aim for both a wildlife haven and a community space. People can enjoy it for years ahead.
Desayrah found tangled plants and rubbish. Now, she wants community pride in this area. It’s a wilderness in some places still now.
Tom Collins thinks the progress is great. The community’s work is transforming the site into a place for people and wildlife alike. He’s glad people connect with nature.
Joe Leighton said Desayrah contacted him two years ago, noting that she has strong ties within the Warndon community. Sanctuary seeks to make residents feel ownership. Crews cleared part of the site, leaving some land semi-wild for wildlife.