We’re thrilled to announce that our collaborative work with Really Wild Lockleaze has been featured in Bristol 24/7! This partnership is bringing new life to the area, and it’s creating a lasting positive impact on both our environment and our community.
Nature in the Heart of Lockleaze
Located just a short walk from Filton Abbey Wood train station and adjacent to the Concorde Way cycle path, the patch behind our grass football pitch is now home to a vibrant wildflower strip. This natural addition borders our pitches and complements other exciting wildlife features, including ponds, orchards, and a new wetland area. The project aims to create habitats that allow wildlife to flourish and give the community a beautiful green space to enjoy.
Last week, volunteers came together to complete the final stages of planting. They peeled back turf and prepared the soil for a range of wildflower seeds, which will bloom into a stunning display of poppies, cornflowers, and other native plants next year. As our ecologist, Eric Swithinbank, told Bristol 24/7, “The field will be buzzing with life.”
A Collaborative Effort
This transformation of our grounds wouldn’t have been possible without the collective effort of Really Wild Lockleaze, local residents, and volunteers from groups like the Bristol Green Gym and Bristol Bears. Together, they’ve planted hundreds of native trees and created habitats that support diverse wildlife, including newts, frogs, dragonfly larvae, and butterflies.
The pond and wetland area behind the our rugby pitch has already become home to a variety of species, with plans to attract even more wildlife through the planting of native species like Alder Buckthorn, the food source of the rare Yellow Brimstone butterfly. It’s incredible to see the immediate impact, with the butterfly’s caterpillars already thriving in the new habitat.
A Space for Nature and People
While the project has been focused on wildlife, it’s also about creating a space that the whole community can enjoy. The newly created nature trail and green spaces offer a peaceful place for locals and visitors to relax, socialise, or simply take in the natural surroundings. As our managing director, Craig Capel, explains, “It’s really important for us to understand the impact of the area on local people’s health and wellbeing, regardless of if they want to be involved in sport.”
This initiative demonstrates that sports centres can serve more than just their primary purpose. By incorporating nature into our facilities, we aim to offer a model that blends physical activity with social interaction and time outdoors, enhancing both community wellbeing and biodiversity.
Looking Ahead
The transformation of our grounds is just the beginning. We’re excited to continue developing these green spaces and working with local residents and volunteers to ensure they flourish. As Swithinbank points out, “If we want nature to thrive, we need to bring it into our urban areas and have all these pockets of nature connected.”
This project is proof that with a little teamwork and vision, we can create spaces where both people and nature can thrive side by side. Craig Capel, our Managing Director, said:
“We’re looking at how we provide a wider breadth of activity for the community we serve. Creating an inspiring space for people to sit and enjoy is a big part of that.”
“We hope this can be a model to demonstrate that centres like ours can serve their purpose while also offering space for nature and for people to enjoy wildlife.”
Want to Get Involved?
If you’re interested in joining future planting sessions or simply want to take a stroll through the new wildflower strip, keep an eye on our events calendar or reach out to Really Wild Lockleaze. Together, we can make Lockleaze greener, wilder, and more beautiful for everyone.
Read the full feature in Bristol 24/7 here.
