We started out Brook Way Community Biodiversity Project in November 2020 when some local neighbours got together to do something about a derelict, fly-tipped, drug used and drug abused plot of land behind a garage at the end of our Crescent which was also next to a footpath to the rear entrances of the local primary school. We managed to obtain permission and a Brent Council LoveWhereYouLive Grant to get the plot, measuring approximately 45m by 5m, cleared of all the dead, decaying and dying vegetation along with a lot of fly-tipped waste.

Once the ground was cleared, we had help from Veolia in turning it over, covering it with a generous donation of top soil and then planning some raised flower beds using recycled wood from the demolition of the local primary school hutted classroooms. We were generously donated a range of flowering plants by local supermarket Community Champions as well as local garden centres and B&Q kindly provided a lot of turf at a substantially reduced price.

A wild flowering meadow area was introduced. All this work was undertaken by local volunteers including Friends of Woodcock Park and the staff and pupils of the local Uxendon Manor Primary School. We established the Project as a CIC (Community Interest Company) in 2022 and it now has a bank account and SINC (Site of Importance for Nature Conservation) recognition. Flowering fruit trees have been planted; insect, bird and bat boxes installed and bug hotels set-up. The spiders this autumn are having a field-day on the Project plot.