Green-minded volunteers help make future brighter for Long Buckby

A dedicated team have worked on a 10-acre site on the edge of the village for the past 12 years.

With support from Long Buckby Parish Council, they have transformed two fields into a public amenity for exercise and relaxation, with a community orchard, wildlife area, picnic benches and beehives.

Daniel Tabor, chair of Long Buckby Green Spaces at Cotton End Park, said: "We were proud to be awarded a Climate Change Grant by Daventry District Council in March, for the creation of a vernal (spring) meadow in the wildlife area of the park.

"This is a meadow that floods in the winter, and dries out in the spring and summer, supporting a rich and varied flora, and associated insect life. This habitat has become increasingly rare in the county and it will also help with managing water levels in the park."

As a result of the grant, a group of volunteers created a scrape and drainage channel which will be transformed into a spring meadow as the area dries out.

"Last week we planted 300 wildflower plugs there, comprising 12 different varieties," added Daniel.

"We look forward to a stunning display of wildflowers in the early summer. Our thanks to Daventry District Council for their generous grant, which made this project possible."

Five Sakura cherry trees have also been planted as part of a project that aims to foster UK-Japanese co-operation and friendship by planting more than 5,000 cherry trees in the UK.

Daniel said: "All the fruit trees in the Community Orchard have been pruned, except the plum and cherry trees, which will be pruned after flowering."

Children are invited to take part in an Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday at the park from 11am to 3pm. It costs £2 per child with proceeds going to the Zipwire Appeal.

Parking on site is limited, so organisers suggest visitors park in the village.