main content 'Wild about Whitehall' Recreation Ground

Practical conservation measures are being taken to improve Whitehall Recreation Ground for both wildlife and people using grant funding. The £10,000 BBC Breathing Places lottery grant was awarded to the Friends of Whitehall Recreation Ground to engage the local community and increase biodiversity. The most recent improvement to this local green space was the planting of a 70 metre hedgerow by over 20 keen volunteers, supported by Bromley’s Parks and Countryside Service. Residents interested in getting involved should contact the Council for information on future events and other volunteering opportunities.

"The Friends of Whitehall Recreation Ground wanted to use the funding received to not only improve the habitats available for wildlife, but to also encourage other local residents to get involved in their nearby green space. It’s great to see people of all ages taking part in today’s event and it will be wonderful to watch the hedge develop over the next few years. Watch out for the last public event in the ‘Wild about Whitehall’ series happening this December.” said Nick Hopkins, Countryside Officer.

The hedgerow planted contains native species such as hawthorn, blackthorn, field maple, hazel, guelder rose and crab apple. It’s purpose is to link existing hedges in the recreation ground with the recently planted wildflower meadow, thus creating a corridor for birds, insects and small mammals. The hedge will attract insects such as ladybirds who feed on aphids and in turn attract insect feeding birds such as long tailed tits. A hedge also provides cover for species like bank voles and wood mice, and, as it matures, will provide cover for species like pipestrelle bats when they move from one feeding site to another.

The programme of work at Whitehall Recreation Ground throughout 2007 has included the decoration and erection of 20 bird boxes, the planting of 600 wildflowers to form a meadow and the creation of habitats for stag beetles with pupils from Bishop Justus School. The Friends group have also been planning ideas for the future to continue the good work after funding ends.

Currently, over 2,000 dedicated volunteers belong to the borough’s ‘friends’ groups, taking positive action to enhance their local park or open space. If you are interested in becoming a ‘friend’ or would like further information on the borough’s green spaces, please call 020 8313 4471 or email landscape.helpdesk@bromley.gov.uk. Alternatively visit www.bromley.gov.uk

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• Whitehall Recreation Ground can be accessed off Southlands Road and is located in Bromley Common and Keston Ward.
• The hedgerow planting event was held on Saturday 17th November 2007 Whitehall Recreation ground.
• The BBC Breathing Places grant is run in conjunction with the Big Lottery Fund. The grant programme is now on its third phase of funding allocations. The Friends of Whitehall Recreation Ground grant was received in 2006. Information on the BBC Breathing Places grant is available at http://www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces/create/funding.shtml
• The last ‘public’ Wild about Whitehall event is taking place on Saturday 1st December and is themed around hibernation. For further details contact Bromley’s Parks and Countryside Service on 01689 862 815.

For media enquiries, please contact Amy Bevins, Strategy Development Officer on 020 8313 4738 or Nick Hopkins, Countryside Officer on 01689 862 815 or email amy.bevins@bromley.gov.uk