Last week, pupils from four different schools in Tunbridge Wells took part in a wildflower seeding project at Calverley Grounds. Mandy Flashman-Wells, who co-organised the event, tells the Times all about it…
Schoolchildren from Tunbridge Wells have taken part in a new wildflower seeding project.
Pupils from four different schools – St Peter’s, St Matthew’s, Oakley and Meadows – participated in a mass planting event last week in Calverley Grounds.
As well as flower seeds, the children also planted small plug plants with the aim of promoting biodiversity in the area.
The project was a collaboration between Kent High Weald Project, Tunbridge Wells in Bloom and The Tunbridge Wells Fairtrade Town Group, and is part of a wider programme of events designed to encourage people to get involved in improving the biodiversity.
“Since World War 2, we have lost 97 per cent of our wildflower meadows in the UK, therefore it is vital that we plant wildflower seeds in our green spaces to reverse this decline and improve the habitat for increasingly rare species,” explained Mandy Flashman-Wells, who is one of the o-organisers and an active member of The Tunbridge Wells Fairtrade Town Group.
The organisation is just one of many up and down the country who campaign for a fair income for some of the world’s poorest people who produce and farm some of the staple products found in our cafés and supermarkets, such as coffee, chocolate and fruit.
The Tunbridge Wells Fairtrade Town Group believe that buying Fairtrade products really makes a difference, but they are also passionate about promoting the protection of the natural world.
That is why they have teamed up with The Amelia, Tunbridge Wells’ cultural centre, in order to bring the town’s children a variety of nature-themed activities which will be running over the Easter holidays. (See Page 22.)
“The activities we’ve worked on include making seed bombs and building bee hotels,” explains Mandy, who then reveals that the two groups have also worked on a unique biodiversity project that will be installed in The Amelia Scott in May.
“Working with local artist, Bonnie, from Botanical Press, our new Biodiversity, Climate Change and Fairtrade project will be installed in the Amelia Scott building in time for the King’s Coronation on May 6.
“Any school, community group or individual who would like to get involved, making fabulous insect artworks for display, please feel free to get in touch.”
To contact the Fairtrade Town Group, contact@twfairtrade.org.uk
