We welcomed the West of England Combined Authority to the Hospice earlier this year, to produce a short film on the importance of our gardens. Last month, we were delighted to receive the 'People for Nature' award, which was collected by one of garden Volunteers, Den.
The Bee Bold Awards were launched by the West of England Combined Authority in 2022 and recognise organisations that are taking positive action to support pollinators and nature across the West of England.
West of England Mayor Dan Norris commented "The Bee Bold Awards are all about recognising the amazing work happening to make the West of England the UK's Bee and Pollinator Capital. This year's winners, from local community groups to global businesses, are taking vital action to see nature restored, reconnected, and recovering."
Our Hospice gardens wouldn't continue to thrive without the support of our team of Volunteers, who work year-round alongside our Head Gardener, Anneke, to plant and tend to flowers, shrubbery, trees and grassy areas.
The judges were impressed by the work our Volunteers and garden team have been doing, including planting hedges where birds can shelter and feed, and creating habitats using wood piles, to encourage insects, small mammals and amphibians.
Maintaining areas such as long grass in summer and plant stems in winter gives insects a place to shelter and means that the gardens are rich with pollinators, such as bees and other wildlife. Our gardens are also home to a resident fox, and green woodpeckers have been seen in the wooded areas around the Hospice.
The garden team have worked hard to create cut flower beds this year, growing plants on site from seeds, rather than buying in cut flowers with a larger carbon footprint. Nectar-rich flowers with a range of flower shapes were specifically chosen to attract pollinating insects. The cut flower beds were a true team effort, as our garden Volunteers lead the project, supported by patients from Day Services and Volunteers from local businesses.
The award is a fantastic way of recognising our gardens and the team of amazing Volunteers who help them to continue thriving. We hope to continue developing the gardens for the benefit of patients, plants and pollinators.
