A community grant is providing essential equipment for a team of volunteers who work to protect a valuable wetland habitat in North Tyneside.
The Friends of Fordley Planta received a small grant from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) which they have used to buy landscaping equipment, educational display boards and wildlife cameras.
The Planta is a centuries-old marsh that dates back at least to the 1600s, with the Seaton Burn river running through it. Over the years it fell into a poor state and became a hotspot for fly-tipping and antisocial behaviour.
Since early 2022, The Friends have been clearing and restoring the Planta, with support from North Tyneside Council. This involved removing decades of rubbish including old bathroom suites, discarded furniture, car batteries and electrical appliances. Footpaths have been rebuilt to allow easier access for pushchairs and mobility scooters. Many families now walk through the Planta on their way to Fordley Primary school, and local people use the green space as a route to work.
Some areas of the marsh have been fenced off to protect habitats and new planting has been added, allowing wildlife to thrive. Today the Planta is home to great spotted woodpeckers, foxes, two types of newt, bats, owls, herons and water voles. Sightings of kingfishers and otters are an encouraging sign that changes to the environment are meeting the needs of these protected species.
Friends of Fordley Planta volunteer co-ordinator Terence Johnson said: “The grant from the UKSPF has been brilliant, as we’ve always worked on a budget close to zero. Everything we’ve achieved transforming the Planta from a dumping ground into a nature reserve has been done with the hard work of people in the community and practical support from North Tyneside Council.
“We really have everything we need now, we’ve been able to buy crucial equipment like spades, wheelbarrows, rakes and loppers. We’ve invested in some solar powered wildlife cameras, which record footage we can share with Fordley Primary School and the wider community.
“We’ve been able to produce some educational display boards and other learning materials, which have been useful in school lessons and for our open days.
“The message is love where you live, enjoy don’t destroy. The Planta has had decades of abuse but that has all but stopped now. The community is behind us in helping to look after this biodiverse habitat for everyone to enjoy.
“Involving the young people in understanding and being proud if their area is so crucial. It’s wonderful to witness local children volunteering, picking up litter, helping to plant saplings and getting hands-on with nature in a safe environment.
“We are letting as many areas as possible rewild because these wetland ecosystems are so important. We are restoring and improving some of the ponds and we have seen amphibians flourishing along with other vital pond life. There is very little other green space in the village and we are passionate about protecting it for people and for wildlife, now and for the future.”
North Tyneside Council is partnering with North Tyneside VODA to deliver the UKSPF programme, which is funded by the UK Government with the North East Combined Authority as the lead authority. Through UKSPF, North Tyneside Council has invested over £1.2 million through a range of grants in the North West of the Borough.
It is part of the Council’s Ambition for the North West, creating attractive places to live, new opportunities for work and business, and inspiring spaces to play and visit.
Elected Mayor of North Tyneside Dame Norma Redfearn DBE said: “The Friends of Fordley Planta are a group of energetic, community-minded people who have made an enormous difference to their local environment. The transformation they have brought about in a little under three years is nothing short of remarkable.
“I visited them to see the results of their hard work in 2022 and was very proud to plant a tree, one of many native saplings they have introduced. I am delighted to see that they have been awarded UKSPF funding to pay for essential grounds maintenance equipment and educational materials to help them continue their importance awareness-raising and conservation work.”
UKSPF was made available to any voluntary and community sector organisations that provide services in Camperdown, Weetslade and Longbenton, with five different types of grants: capital, large, medium, small and youth.
With a focus on creating a sense of renewed pride, identity and connectivity in local communities, UKSPF aims to increase life chances across the UK, investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
The capital, large, medium and youth funds are now closed, and all money has been allocated, but funding is still available through the small grants scheme via North Tyneside VODA until 31 December 2024.