Today saw the start of renovations to the Ankerside Bug Hotel. Set alongside the Castle Pleasure Grounds, the project aims to restore a vibrant and healthy garden ecosystem for insects to inhabit and visitors to enjoy.
Over time, the bug haven had become overgrown and weather-worn, however the Ankerside team in partnership with the Step On programme, are now working together to give the area some much needed TLC.
Mark Burbridge Ankerside Centre Manager said, “Renewing our garden bug hotel isn’t just about tidiness; it’s about creating a thriving sanctuary for nature’s tiny custodians.” He continued “We plan to improve and maintain the bug hotel to ensure the garden flourishes and can be enjoyed by all visitors to the centre and surrounding Castle Pleasure Grounds.”
The team have begun with a focus on the removal of the overgrowth of plants and weeds, working delicately to avoid disturbing any insects still residing in the hotel. Made of entirely natural materials, Ankerside plan to remove and replace sections of the hotel which show signs of wear to improve structural stability and ensure they receive no guest complaints from the mini garden residents.
The ongoing project hopes to get more sections of the community involved, raising awareness of the importance of insects to our eco system whilst improving the biodiversity of the garden. Stay tuned for more updates on the team’s progress.
