Embedded Files
More wildlife wins
Adopt a tree
Nearly 80 young trees in Centenary Fields and St James were saved from dying in the 2022 summer drought by Wilder Bramley's Adopt-a-tree scheme.
The developers had just planted many young trees along the streets and in the community areas of these two newbuild estates when the drought hit. As the blistering temperatures continued and the developers failed to provide water, the young trees started dying, so we swung into action. We organised weekly watering sessions with volunteers for the community trees and recruited local householders to 'adopt' a tree outside their house and water it weekly. Thanks to all our volunteers, we were relieved to see that very few trees died. They are now flourishing and really enhancing these two areas.
Officers' Row Wildflower Verge
A group of neighbours living in Officers' Row have protected their long verge from regular mowing by the council, enabling a rare orchid and other wildflowers to flourish.
The group approached Wilder Bramley after one person noticed that the orchid was growing there but was then mown down. Working together, we asked Hampshire County Council to declare the verge a Road Verge of Ecological Importance (RVEI). This means it is now only cut once a year, in September, and the flowers remain uncut throughout their flowering and seeding seasons, also allowing small mammals and other wildlife living there to flourish. The long verge outside the entrance to Bramley Camp is now a riot of colour through the summer!
The rare orchids, lady smock and other important plants identified there should now thrive. We also hope to see cowslips, water iris and marsh marigolds blooming there before long.
If you have a green patch near you that you'd like to protect, do get in touch with us.
Village Hall
Our local Village Hall have also been doing their bit for nature and creating a number of areas for wildlife in their grounds. The Trustees approached us for advice and we have worked with them to create several new habitats: a bog garden, a mini-meadow and a log pile. We obtained some free trees from the Woodland Trust and held a joint work party to plant a new hedgerow and fill in gaps in an existing hedge to extend the wildlife corridor.
St James’ Church Butterfly - Prayer Corner
St James’ Church Butterfly - Prayer Corner
Working in collaboration with St James Parish Church In Bramley, a small work party cleared an overgrown area in the churchyard and created a quiet place for reflection. We built a bench out of recycled materials and created a log pile surmounted by a cross, to both provide religious focus and create a habitat for endangered stag beetles. The area is now maintained by parishioners.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse