7:30am Friday 12th March 2010
By Mike Miners
VOLUNTEERS are transforming a patch of wasteland into a wildlife garden.
This week the Mendip and Treecot Residents Association have been clearing up land near Dunster Avenue, Westcliff, planting shrubs to improve the area.
They were helped by people who accepted the association’s challenge to dig out their wellies and get stuck in.
Treasurer of the group Amanda Harold said: “We’ve been clearing the ground since October last year. Then. you couldn’t even see the ground for rubbish.
“During the Easter holidays we hope to get children involved in the planting.
“Various contractors have been helping us, including Anglian Windows which gave us a portable toilet for use when we’re on the land, and the parks department will help us with plants.”
The land is managed by South Essex Homes, which looks after Southend Council’s housing.
Hayley Allen, whose job it is to get people involved, said: “The residents of the association so far have done a great job in transforming the area, but there is still some work to do.
“So we encourage anyone who has an interest in nature to get in touch, in whatever way they can help – it all makes a difference.
“The project has secured £45,000 of funding to improve the area and we are planning on opening the garden officially in August. It will be open from dawn to dusk for anyone to visit.
“We would like to thank all of the organisations that have supported the project and we hope it will become a place people will use and enjoy for years to come.”
Since the work started, slowworms, toads and a rare species of spider, called signature, have been spotted, as well as foxes and badgers.
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