Community boosts biodiversity with bulb planting in the Abbey Gardens
Children from the Guildhall Feoffment School who took part in planting bulbs at the Abbey Gardens with volunteers and West Suffolk Council officials. Photo: West Suffolk Council.
In a display of community spirit and environmental awareness, over 60 school children from Guildhall Feoffment took part in planting bulbs at the Abbey Gardens in collaboration with volunteers and West Suffolk Council.
Two classes of children from the school and its gardening club came together with Friends of Abbey Gardens volunteers and West Suffolk Council staff to plant around 8,000 bulbs in a mulched area under the tree canopy near the Abbey Gate entrance.
Cliff Waterman, leader of the council, said: “We are thrilled to have so many young people planting bulbs in West Suffolk’s award-winning garden.
“The children not only gain hands-on gardening experience but also are learning and working together to improve the community’s environmental resilience.
“The bulbs will boost the natural beauty that already exists in the Abbey Gardens, which is regularly highlighted as a top free visitor attraction in England.
“This plays a part in the sustainable growth of the economy whilst also benefitting the health and wellbeing of our thriving communities, as a place where people can relax, unwind, exercise and play.
“The event ties in perfectly with St Edmunds Day, from which the town takes its name from. I’d encourage visitors and residents to enjoy the colourful gardens displayed within the historical backdrop of the abbey wall and the ruins.”
Fiona-Catherine Thompson, the deputy headteacher of Guildhall Feoffment Community Primary School, said: ”What a lovely opportunity for our children to take part in to celebrate St Edmund’s Day.
“The children loved learning about how to plant the bulbs through such a hands on experience and we are looking forward to seeing them bloom in the Spring.
“The volunteer team were wonderful, showing the children what to do and making it a fun, if chilly, morning of outdoor learning.”
In the spring, the bulbs will bloom into a beautiful display of colours for all to admire, showcasing the importance of green spaces within the community whilst also providing useful early nectar for pollinators.
The biodiversity natural bulb mix were kindly bought by the Friends of Abbey Gardens, raised from plant sales held in the gardens over the last year.
For more information about the Abbey Gardens, visit: https://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/leisure/Parks/abbey-gardens.cfm