Urban Buzz

Going back over ten years, Ley Hill estate’s had a bit of a reputation and the park was considered a bit of a no-go area. Regular fly-tipping and rubbish on the side. Drugs, a lot of vandalism and a lot of people were quite scared to come in the park. Local residents decided they wanted to play an active role and sort of take back the park, and formed a friends group. You know, local people give up their time, work together, to do positive works in the park.

This is what we want to encourage, lovely plant here a purple loosestrife. Here’s one, the bee’s obviously loving it and butterflies.

So, what we’ve done with Urban Buzz is, we selected out groups that are active within their local open space, and what we’re doing is giving people that understanding about the importance of pollinators.

All animals at every level, depend on these creatures including us.

Perfect, we got a white butterfly.

So we’re getting a different range of species in. You know, we’re just starting to realise how vitally important it is to protect and cherish these areas.

Local people have been getting involved because they, they care about their local open space.

And that’s been the gem with the project, it’s been a project about wildlife, but it’s really been the people and the community groups that have helped to make it what it is.

I think the main thing is it’s great to feel as though you’re, you’re making a difference really.

Ooh, we’ve got some hoverflies flies mating here. They’re the voice of a lot of the pollinating insects and the flowers, the trees and without the community having the voice for these areas there’s a chance a lot of it could be lost.

We like trees, we’re not tree haters, but it’s trees in the right spot.

We’re getting there, we’re starting to make real positive change and this park, is a good example. That positivity is fed down to the community and made a real change, a real difference. And hopefully continue for many years to come.