Children from the Eco Team at Naunton Park Primary School celebrated the end of improvements to their local park by sewing a vibrant wildflower meadow. Native wildflowers, including yellow rattle, will help encourage more butterflies and bees to the dedicated meadow areas on the edge of the park.  

The works at Naunton Park include:

• Installation of a swale, a shallow depression in the lowest and wettest corner of the park, to capture heavy rainfall and release it slowly back into the environment, keeping it away from neighbouring properties. The boggy terrain also increases biodiversity in the area by creating a different habitat for plants and insects.
• Four new areas of wildflower meadow will further increase biodiversity, attracting a wide range of pollinating insects to the park.
• More trees will provide shade in the summer months and further improve surface water runoff.  
• A new path provides a circular route around the space, for people to take in the views and make the most of this enhanced green area on their doorsteps.

Earlier this year, the team from Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT) visited the school to help the students learn more about our weather and natural solutions to flood management. Children poured water over interactive models of houses to help them better understand drainage and how the build up of water on hard and compacted surfaces can lead to flooding.

The work at Naunton Park has been funded by Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC), Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and MORE THAN Insurance. The work forms part of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and MORE THAN’s Gloucester and Cheltenham Waterscapes project, which is working to provide Natural Flood Management solutions in the area.

Cllr Paul Baker, who represents Charlton Park ward, said of the work:

“Cheltenham’s parks and open spaces really are our pride and joy, bringing so much pleasure to so many people. They also provide a huge opportunity for improving biodiversity, engaging with local communities and increasing usage for all. The scheme at Naunton Park, was initially inspired by the local community, who wanted to provide a circular all-weather path to improve accessibility for all and to improve drainage and introduce much enhanced biodiversity. However, it would not have been possible without the fantastic support and commitment of CBC, Gloucestershire County Council, GWT, local Councillors and the Friends of Naunton Park.”

Meyrick Brentnall from Friends of Naunton Park said that:

“We have been talking with local residents about a surfaced route around the park for the past 15 years, so it is great to see it come to fruition. The extra wildlife and flood management benefits are a real bonus. Our thanks go to all funders, local people and their representatives who have supported this project over the years. It’s great to see work finally taking place to enhance this green space for everyone to enjoy.”

The Gloucester and Cheltenham Waterscapes project sees MORE THAN Insurance investing in nature-based interventions to help limit the impact of flooding on local habitats and improve the resilience of local communities. The work will be good for people and good for wildlife, helping to reduce flood risk and boosting biodiversity.

Laura Spiers, Head of Social Impact & ESG at MORE THAN insurance, said:

“Flooding can have a devastating impact on local communities and, as one of the largest home insurers in the UK, we see this first-hand. To support communities, we’re working to build increased flood resilience in areas such as Cheltenham and Gloucester, helping to reduce the impact flooding can have. The work at Naunton Park is an exciting part of this project and will help to improve flood resilience for those who live nearby. But our work doesn’t stop there. Together with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, we’re planning on building lots more Natural Flood Management Solutions across Cheltenham and Gloucester over the coming months.”

In addition to the works already carried out at Naunton Park, the project will showcase small scale interventions such as driveway de-paving, rain gardens and green roofed bus shelters to inspire communities to be resilient to climate change in ways that are kind to wildlife.