Persimmon Homes has announced the successful unveiling of the Bee Hapus Community Garden at its Heritage Gate development in Llantwit Major.
This vibrant community space is set to become a cornerstone of local environmental and social activities, and already there are enthusiastic community members taking on the task of its upkeep and development.
The Bee Hapus Community Garden is a testament to the collaborative spirit of the Llantwit Major community and will be home to bees, bumblebees, honeybees, butterflies and moths.
The community garden, now looked after by local residents, includes a spiral weathered steel-edged path, a bespoke seating area and a solitary bee totem all created from sustainably sourced wood.
Lee Hawker, Managing Director at Persimmon Homes East Wales, said:
“We are delighted to have opened the Bee Hapus Community Garden at our Heritage Gate development in Llantwit Major.
“This garden symbolises our commitment to fostering strong community connections and promoting environmental sustainability within our developments.
“We are grateful to Studio Response’s Emma Price and Emma Geliot for their artistic and horticultural contributions, which have made this garden a unique place for the local community.”
The opening ceremony was attended members of the local community, Llantwit Major Councillor Gwyn John, and poet Rae Howells who read from her poetry collection ‘The Language of Bees’.
Lead artist gardener Emma Geliot, from Penarth, said:
“This has been a joyous project to work on. The community have been so supportive – especially when the going was tough, due to challenging weather – making positive comments, and offering plants to add to the garden.
“It has been especially wonderful to see the first bees appear and to have first-hand experience of the local residents enjoying the garden, as new plants come into flower and new wildlife appears. I am sure that the garden will bring pleasure to them for many years to come.”
Studio Response’s Emma Price said:
“We are all familiar with honeybee, however there are hundreds of native bee species that are also important pollinators. The aim of the Bee Hapus community garden is to put out a welcome mat for bees and other beneficial insects.
“It is incredible what can be done on a small plot of land for the benefit and well-being of wildlife and residents.
“In addition, the local people, who now look after the garden for the bees and nature, are receiving the benefits of being outdoors, meeting new neighbours and engaging in maintaining a community resource, which provides a local gathering space for people and nature.”
