Wildlife Garden Award

The South Molton Community Garden has existed in this town for at least fifteen years. It started from nothing, grow beds were built from scratch in what used to be “sheep field” in the past. The main field is used by the dog walkers, yet today, the garden area remains mostly undisturbed, and bursting with all sorts of wildlife. Perhaps it is because we are on the edge of the town.

Three years ago, I’ve been “dragged” into this thing (haha) by the local councillor and my long term friend David – he knew that our flat has no access to a yard or a garden and thought (quite correctly) that we’d benefit from joining the garden, and also, that the team may benefit from my snappy skills (meaning my photography, of course).

I can honestly say that joining the community garden was the best decision we’ve ever made. A group of like-minded people who love to chat about nature, growing things, enjoying the whole experience of just BEING, it changed our lives. Gardening and social aspect of this improves our wellbeing, and accentuates one’s sense of content. – especially for my autistic child with whom I too share passion for nature, science and our precious environment. Yes, people with autism hate socialising, and frankly, I prefer the tranquillity of a garden with less (or no) people, too.

The community garden is always a peaceful place, and we come and go whenever we feel like it. Gardeners are all truly lovely gentle people, and thanks to everyone being so wonderfully respectful, no one needs to worry about being judged or unwanted. It is special. Positivity, I feel, is always a choice, and at this place, it runs so smooth that stating it in the membership rules is just an insignificant nod to it.

Anyway, for the past three years, that has always been my experience with the Community Garden and the people behind it. Love everyone, and I admire our co-chair Fran especially. Her knowledge about wildlife (for example, swifts) amazes me, her work to support the natural environment blows my mind. I truly hope she’ll get to do educational talks and teach the public some day.

So, my and my kiddo and I, we’ve learnt a lot about plants, vegetables, crop rotation, all of it. Trying to grow this and that, some things were a success, some weren’t (for example, our first ever cucamelon), – but that’s ok, too. One of the biggest gardening surprises for me was the fact that you can grow a banana plant here in the UK – outdoors. Yes, an actual BANANA! There is dedicated Facebook group which monitors their locations and they’ve created an interactive map for this – this is no joke.

But let’s not get distracted by the bananas any more (I will fail at this), and get back to our Community Garden and our Wildlife Garden Award story. You know, I may not be the most skilled gardener and I know I have much to learn, but I am always prepared to improve my ways. However, one thing I was interested in all my life, and know a thing or two about, is the wildlife. Once you started to notice things, you see more, and more. From insects such as my beloved solitary bees, to birds and small mammals, life at any healthy garden is thriving and it was truly enjoyable to be able to add a few things to help! When we were offered red mason cocoons, I’ve build the bee hotel. Then, when The Littlest Wildlife Hotel informed us that they want to release rescued female hedgehog Jess, found at the nearby Community College, I asked my friend Stephen at the Exmoor Zoo for advice re hedgehog house and especially a feeding station (to make it predators – cats! – safe). Nikki (pictured below) nurses many hedgehogs including the rescued Jess back to full health and she continues to answer any questions we have – what a star! We are lucky to have her in the area! So, you see, I did not take these actions towards wildlife quite so intentionally – they just happened, I literally walked into these situations. All I did was put a little bit of work in, trying to make things more favourable for the precious living beings. Compared to the ten years of work other members of the community garden have done, I genuinely don’t consider it to be much at all. Although they say otherwise – because they are just such lovely people.

Releasing the rescued female hedgehog meant that we had this wonderful chance to contribute to their declining numbers. There has been signs that she (or another female) has had her babies, here, too!

It’s simply wonderful to see people with interest in nature, from all walks of life, connecting on such a generous, loving level. Whether we deal with insects such as solitary bees, or hedgehogs, or anything else that we encounter – the gardeners keep doing their best to create the best merge of natural environment, and a garden that produces food for us, in a harmonious way. Some call it permaculture. We don’t label things too much but simply try our best – anyway, we submitted a form where – to our surprise – we ticked all the boxes (how amazing is that?) and not long after that, this wonderful letter arrived…

Nature is the best healer and it provides us with sanctuary, challenge, and on a social level, friendships and fun. Our Wildlife Garden Award is very much appreciated – the Devon Wildlife Trust is doing a lot to make one feel appreciated. Animals themselves can’t say thank you – and honestly, I never expect them to. Just seeing them being well and thrive is everything we could wish for. But, it is still very, very nice and we are all truly excited to have the plaque to display.

Proudly.