felin uchaf wildlife garden
The Felin Uchaf wildlife garden is a community project managed by volunteers and funded by local organisations including Mantell Gwynedd, the Co-operative Stores, NatWest Bank and the Peter Saunders Trust.
Paying only a peppercorn rent, the management group has taken over a piece of waste land near the hospital and plans to turn it into a garden for wildlife. It is hoped that in time, the garden will be used as an educational resource by local schools with children being invited to look after their own area, learning about planting and flower recognition and receiving certificates of competence for their efforts.
In the meantime, much work is being undertaken to clear and prepare the land, erect fences and provide homes for birds and other creatures which may settle there. It is hoped that this will include hedgehogs being re-introduced into the wild after recovering from injury, although this will be dependant upon the area being deemed capable of sustaining them by the RSPCA who operate the programme.
The group is currently seeking funding for fencing and has been liaising with the Foresty Commission regarding the choice of trees and trees and plants to be planted. It is vital that whatever is selected is not only suitable as food for birds and other animals but also attractive to insects. The garden is overlooked by the hospital so the planting of a wildflower meadow to attract butterflies will be not only help pollinate the plants but also provide an attractive natural display which the patients will be able to enjoy.
The project is supported by the local police, fire service, town council and Dolgellau Partnership, but anyone, young or old can become involved, either by devoting time to working in the garden or donating money to help buy plants and matrerials. In time, it is hoped that the garden will be a peaceful haven open to anyone who wants to enjoy its beauty and simplicity. It will be the ideal place to paint, take photographs or simply enjoy nature.