There are lots of amazing things planned for Holme Farm including carpentry workshops, craft sessions, talks, a café, an orchard, beekeeping and gardening, not to mention a focus on wildlife and biodiversity……
Andi Roy, Committee Member and Biodiversity Advisor of CWG@HF explains “Our group aims to turn what is currently plain grassy fields into vibrant woodland and wildflower meadows that are alive with the sights, sounds and smells of nature – all species benefiting from our ambitious plans to rewild the land. We are committed to creating a welcoming place for the community to learn too – there will be no snobbery and no such thing as silly questions here – so please do visit us armed with all those nature queries you were too afraid to ask! As part of our commitment to making nature accessible we will have feeding stations, ponds, hides and nest cameras which will allow close encounters with animals that are often just a fleeting glimpse or a speck in the distance. Guided ‘safaris’, dusk walks and an annual biodiversity showcase will allow you to discover more of the fascinating wildlife we have right on our doorsteps in Runnymede.
Interactivity is key to our vision and we want to provide the means for our community to get hands-on with the natural world in ways they haven’t before. We will have beehives on site for those who fancy giving it a go, and with our wildlife surveys there will be countless opportunities for those who are interested to catch and study all manner of creatures, from insects to reptiles to mice. We will need volunteer work parties to assist with the maintenance of the site through activities such as tree planting, habitat creation and scrub clearance. These volunteer days are a great way for people of all ages to get outdoors, meet new people and learn new skills. So whether you want to get stuck in with a spade, put your waders on and get into the river or (most importantly) be in charge of tea and biscuits, we welcome everyone who wants to contribute!”
CWG@HF Committee member and wildlife gardener, Sue Burt adds…
“If there is one good thing to come out of the Covid-19 pandemic it is the reawakened interest in nature. It’s good to rediscover the outdoors once more and Holme Farm has the potential to become a nature reserve everyone can share. Our planet is in such a terrible state that it is important to give nature space and encourage it to flourish; and what better place to start than in our own local community. At Holme Farm, the land has lain undisturbed for years and the nature within has become wild and free. By developing and carefully managing this space with wildlife in mind we can increase the biodiversity already present. If you are aged 1 to 101 there will be something there for everyone.”
For further information, go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1091627714503823
or email CWGHF2020@outlook.com