Wildflower-rich grasslands are essential for pollinating insects, however according to The Bumblebee Preservation Trust, 2024 had been the worst year for bumblebees in the UK since records began. Bumblebee numbers have declined by almost a quarter due to habitat changes.[1] To help combat this, local housebuilder Barratt Homes is offering pupils at Chalton Lower School located nearby its Linmere development in Houghton Regis an opportunity to encourage a variety of wildlife to grow on their school grounds.
Barratt North Thames has donated 25 seed bomb and tree kits to the school which contain between 30 and 100 species of native wildflower seeds and sustainable compost. The seed bomb kits are an alternative way of supporting greater ecological interaction and encouraging children to get back to nature.
Together with the seed bomb kits, gardening equipment and information packs provided by the Buglife charity will be provided to support the planting process for pupils, allowing the children to interact with their activity and learn about the benefits of planting wildlife-friendly plants in the garden.
Marc Woolfe, Sales and Marketing Director for Barratt North Thames, said: “With a primary focus on sustainability and ecologically friendly provisions within our Linmere development, we wanted to donate these seed bomb kits to Chalton Lower School to further support nature in the local area.
“We hope that this activity can bring colour and new life into the outside space of the school and that the children enjoy taking part and learning about the importance of wildlife.”
Natalie Bill, Headteacher at Chalton Lower School, commented: “The pupils really enjoyed learning about wildflowers and the importance of protecting local wildlife. We want to thank Barratt Homes for organising this activity, it’s been a fantastic and educational experience for the pupils, and we look forward to watching them grow in our nature reserve.”
Coinciding with the start of spring, this campaign targets an easy and safe way of gradually rebuilding these habitats. The seed bombs aim to raise awareness of the simple individual actions that can be taken throughout the year to support local wildlife such as bees and butterflies.
Linmere is a 19-minute walk away from Chalton Lower School. The Houghton Regis development offers a selection of brand-new one- and two- bedroom apartments starting from £219,995 and five-bedroom houses with prices starting at £497,500.
Buyers can also make use of Barratt Homes’ Key Worker Deposit Contribution Scheme, which is available to those in professions such as teaching, NHS and the police force. As a thank you to the support provided to local communities, for every £20,000 spent on the purchase price of a brand-new property, Barratt Homes will contribute £1,000 towards buyers’ deposits – up to £15,000.[2]
To find out more about Barratt North Thames or Linmere, please visit www.barratthomes.co.uk or call 0333 355 8501.