Metro Mayor Dan Norris will join Bristol City Centre BID, Avon Wildlife Trust and other volunteers in rolling up their sleeves armed with spades and trowels to start work on the new ‘Brandon Hill Meadow’ at the beloved city centre park (next Thursday 2 November at 12.15pm), which is near Park Street.
The project to transform 1,500sqm of the park into a gorgeous blooming wildflower meadow helping Bristol’s busy bugs is all about helping the Mayor in his ambition to make the West of England the Bee and Pollinator Capital of the country. It’s been funded by a £2,300-plus grant from the Mayoral Combined Authority, which Mr Norris leads.
Mayor Norris will attend the second of two big community planting days taking place next week where around 60 locals in total will help plant Brandon Hill Meadow, including residents recovering from addiction problems and ex-rough sleepers working with the charity St Mungo’s.
The Mayor says: “It is exciting to see this bee-brilliant project come together. We are not just building Brandon Hill Meadow for us, but for Bristol’s pollinators who make sure we have delicious West of England produce to eat and drink year-round. In short - because they matter.”
Brandon Hill Meadow will be bursting with colour next Spring, with the Mayor and volunteers helping plant a range of plants and flowers, including cowslip, yellow rattle and saw-wort - all bee and pollinator favourites. With the park already adorned with stunning ponds and multiple tree-covered paths, Mr Norris says this project will make the park even more beautiful and rich with nature.
There will also be more opportunities for Bristolians to get involved in helping maintain this brand-new meadow and other city centre parks over the coming months, with volunteer sessions planned for next Spring right across the city centre.
Mr Norris added: “I’m proud that my West of England Mayoral Combined Authority is investing in projects supporting our region’s pollinators like this brand-new wildflower meadow at Brandon Hill - good news for Bristol locals, and even better news for its bees.
"But we cannot do this alone - help me plant Brandon Hill Meadow, and together let’s make this amazing city an even better place for locals and pollinators alike to call home."
Brandon Hill Park got top spot in Tripadvisor’s list of best Nature and Wildlife areas in Bristol earlier this year.
