A group of volunteers descended on Roaring Meg Retail Park in Stevenage last week, where they began the hard task of clearing the wooded area behind the site to make way for a natural space that can be enjoyed by the local community and act as a haven for native wildlife.

Plans have been taking shape since last year and stage one is now complete, with the team having tidied up the overgrown space and replaced previously vandalised fencing. The beginnings of a woodland path have also been established using dead fallen trees from the area.

The vision for the area is that it will be used to host educational workshops for children, as well as providing a safe space for local wildlife in the bug hotels and animal shelters that are currently being built. There are also plans to keep bees on site, and the local beekeeping association have been on hand to offer their guidance and advice.

Roaring Meg Operations Manager Ian Pratt extended a special thank you to the team at Mitie Landscaping who provided toolbox talks on the day, as well as bringing PPE for all the volunteers. A big thank you also to Gary & the volunteers from North Herts Beekeeping Association whose advice has been key to understanding what bees will need to have a happy life on site!