Media Release: Buzz on down and help launch the new butterfly-friendly wildflower meadow at The Hidden Gardens on Doors Open Day

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A WARM, open invitation is being extended to join in the celebrations at the launch of one of the most joyful new additions to the Dear Green Place, between 10am and 4pm this coming Saturday, (17 September 2011) at the award-winning Hidden Gardens in Pollokshields, located beside The Tramway on Glasgow’s South Side.

A stunning Wildflower Meadow has been painstakingly researched and created over the last three-year period, at The Hidden Gardens http://www.thehiddengardens.org.uk, aimed at attracting more bees and butterflies to help boost biodiversity.

Families with children – and Scots of all ages, backgrounds, shapes and sizes – are warmly invited to join in the free, event-packed celebrations in the gardens’ relaxed and friendly surroundings.

For the littlest ‘gardeners’, accompanied by a parent, there will be fun classes in butterfly making, bug hunting, and building a bird feeder.

For those a little longer in the tooth, free events will include guided tours, biodiversity talks, plant sales and winter bulb planting demonstrations, together with expert advice on creating a wildlife garden designed to attract butterflies and bees. 

Amanda Patterson, director of The Hidden Gardens, said: “We are extremely proud of our fabulous new Bee and Butterfly Meadow, lovingly created by our dedicated team and supported by a wonderful team of volunteers and partners.

“We’d love as many people as possible to come and help us celebrate this newest addition to the city’s biodiversity fold.

“The Hidden Gardens opened in 2003, and exists to promote understanding between people of all cultures, faiths and backgrounds. It celebrates the universal spirit of nature, with subtle references to paradise gardens that have evolved over the last 3,000 years.”

The launch of the Wildflower Meadow will coincide with ‘Doors Open Day’ which, every weekend throughout September, will open up free access to hundreds of fascinating buildings across Scotland that are normally closed to the public.

Julie Tait, director of Culture Sparks – The Intelligence and Innovation Partnership for the Cultural Sector – has been working with The Hidden Gardens.

She commented: “It has been a joy working with The Hidden Gardens team, helping them to step back to re-assess and realise what a fantastic internationally-acclaimed asset they have created – and it’s right on our doorstep, here in Glasgow.”

Schedule of activities for The Hidden Gardens wildflower meadow launch:

10am to 12 noon; September 17, 2011 (adults must accompany children)

- Make your own bird feeder  

- Get your hands dirty bug hunting! Every 30mins, from 10.00am to 11.30pm

- Hidden Gardens guided tours Departing 10.30am and 2.30pm   

12 noon to 3pm (adults must accompany children)

- Official wildflower meadow launch (12 noon to 1pm)

- Butterfly making – Fun arts and crafts family activity

- ‘Try this at home!’  Gardening experts explain how to create a wildlife garden designed to attract butterflies and bees

All-day activities: 

Plant sale, and winter bulb planting demonstrations

Creative and educational family activity sheets

Hidden Gardens audio guide (headset available from Tramway reception)

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Scotland’s Sanctuary Gardens dedicated to peace

Opened in 2003, The Hidden Gardens is an award-winning public greenspace and community development organisation located in Pollokshields, one of Scotland’s most diverse communities.

In addition to being a beautiful green space where people can relax away from city streets, the Gardens is a place of learning and exchange. Through events and activities, The Hidden Gardens strives to create common ground for all of Scotland’s communities to come together.

The Hidden Gardens is operated by The Hidden Gardens Trust, a registered charity in Scotland.

MEDIA RELEASE posted by Pamela Bailey. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.

Contact: Amanda Patterson / Pamela Bailey
Phone: 0141 433 2722
Email: director@thehiddengardens.co.uk / pamela@bluemoon.demon.co.uk
Website: http://www.thehiddengardens.org.uk