The terraces at Ilmington Community Café were a riot of colour and activity for our first Celebrating Nature event by volunteer Jane Neate this weekend. Ilmington resident and artist Kathryn Mann painted 12 delightful nature stones, from the Hairy Dragonfly to the Common Green Shield Bug, and youngsters were sent out to find them in the church yard and Berry Orchard. First to win a Butterfly Activity Pack was William, aged nine, all the way from Vermont USA. He and his mum Megan had been staying in the village. Meanwhile, Ilmington florist Leanne King was teaching us that purple blooms are still a favourite with the bees and reminding us to keep a space in our gardens for wildflowers. And Kathryn set to with broken crocks, old wood and bricks to built a beautiful new hotel for the bugs and bees. A hive of industry! Thanks to everyone who helped to create a magical event as part of Great Big Green Week – we’ll let you know when the bugs move in…
