Work has officially started on Brandon in Bloom’s next project, with volunteers coming together to begin transforming a large area of grass into a vibrant new biodiverse garden.
The new project, known as The Arc, will see what was once an uninspiring stretch of grass on Thetford Road become a species-rich planting scheme designed to thrive in a changing climate while providing an attractive new green space for residents, visitors and wildlife.
The first day of work brought together volunteers from across the community, including Ben from Betts of Brandon, members of Brandon & District Rotary Club, Rachel from Brandon in Bloom and members of the public, all donating their time to help bring the vision to life.
The project has been made possible thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, with Brandon & District Rotary Club sponsoring the garden. Planning permission and planting licences were secured earlier this year, allowing work to begin ahead of the main planting phase in the autumn.
The Arc has been carefully designed to be both beautiful and practical. The elliptical planting bed will make future maintenance easier while introducing a wide variety of drought-tolerant perennials, ornamental grasses and spring bulbs that will provide colour throughout the seasons and create an important habitat for pollinating insects.
Shading posts will also be installed to create cooler growing conditions for plants while doubling as nesting sites for solitary bees, helping to support local biodiversity.
Brandon in Bloom says the project reflects a new approach to gardening that responds to the challenges of climate change. By selecting the right plants for the right place and carrying out planting during the autumn, the garden will require less watering, establish stronger root systems and be more resilient to hotter, drier summers.
Volunteers will continue preparing the site over the coming weeks before the main planting begins later this year. Once complete, The Arc will create a welcoming new landscape that benefits both people and wildlife for years to come, while continuing Brandon in Bloom’s work to enhance green spaces across the town.
