Kenton’s three Labour councillors have funded the planting of 1,750 native bulbs and flowers at Kilbourn House, helping create a more colourful green space for older residents while providing new habitat for wildlife.
The project has been funded by Kenton Ward Committee, made up of the ward’s three Labour councillors, as part of their work to improve the local environment and green spaces across Kenton.
Northumberland Wildlife Trust volunteers have planted 1,750 bulbs and flowers around the outdoor space at Kilbourn House, which is home to 38 older residents in North Kenton.
Native bluebells, cowslips, wood anemones, wild primroses and wood forget-me-nots have all been planted, providing a mixture of colour for residents to enjoy while creating valuable new habitat for pollinating insects.
The native flowers will provide additional sources of food for bumblebees, moths, hoverflies and other wildlife and, as the planting becomes established, should provide colour year after year.
The Labour-funded project at Kilbourn House complements wider environmental improvements taking place locally, with Newcastle City Council also planting more than 2,000 bulbs at nearby Kenton Dene and Kenton Lane.
Kenton’s Labour councillors have made improving the local environment and green spaces one of their priorities, using ward funding to support practical projects that make a visible difference in neighbourhoods.
Cllr Stephen Lambert, Labour councillor and Chair of Kenton Ward Committee, said: “We’re delighted to fund this bulb planting initiative and work closely with the Wildlife Trust.
“The planting of over a 1,000 native bulbs will not only boost the wellbeing of local residents, but will help to improve the biodiversity of green spaces in this part of North Kenton.”
The project is another example of Kenton’s Labour councillors using their local ward budget to support improvements that benefit residents and the neighbourhood environment.