At the beginning of 2023, some local residents in Dousland decided to try and make more of a green space known as the 'Helen Rowett Memorial Graden'. The land (about 1150m2) was left to the community, under the care of the Parish Council, by Helen Rowett. Helen was an academic, artist and philanthropist, who lived opposite the land. She was an extraordinary woman and her wonderful legacy to the community reflected her passion for wildlife and for people.

Although the garden is already quite good for wildlife, a few small changes can make a huge positive difference to the biodiversity of an area, including an increase in bees, butterflies, invertebrates and further up the food chain to birds and bats. Alongside benefits to nature, creating an attractive usable space for people is also hugely valuable to a village like Dousland, which lacks some of the communal assets that other places have.

Initially we were met with some resistance from a few local residents, who were concerned that access to the garden would be restricted in some way, or that allotments were planned. We have tried to communicate what is actually planned, and the drop-in sessions certainly helped with that. Where residents have provided feedback to the Parish Council regarding the garden, that has been taken into account in the preparation of a plan to make the area more attractive for both wildlife and the community.

We have lots planned to turn the garden into a wonderful space for both people and nature, and it will take several years for the garden to match our vision. The work will be carried out by a team of volunteers, with the exception of mowing, which will continue to be done by contractors. There will be regular sessions in the garden, when everyone is welcome to come and help or just bring a flask and have a sit down and a chat. If you can’t maintain your garden anymore but know exactly what should be done, then there’s definitely a place for you too.