BOSSES and staff at a garden centre in Somerset are this month (March, 2010) starting work on a wildlife area that will help benefit the whole community.

Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre at Monkton Heathfield between Taunton and Bridgwater is hoping to create a haven for animals on its land and the space will be open to members of the public for free.

Norma Moore, General Manager of the award-winning, family-run garden centre, said: “Work will begin now and will go through until June, and we hope to have a launch event at the end of July.

“The area will include the development of the existing pond with a water feature and the introduction of ducks, chickens, a woodland area, bird hide and small cafe where parents and grandparents may sit while children can safely explore and watch the animals.”

The wildlife area is approximately 660 square metres and is situated behind the main garden centre building. It can be accessed through the garden centre and will be open to the public from the beginning of August during normal garden centre opening times.

Norma added: “We hope to attract wild birds by planting suitable trees and shrubs, frogs and newts by revamping the pond and slowworms through the introduction of a compost bin. There will be plenty to see and we hope it is a resource the whole community benefits from.

“We’ve taken advice from Somerset Wildlife Trust to make sure we do the best we can to attract as much wildlife as possible to the area.”

To find out more about the wildlife area, please drop in to Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre, which is located just off the A38 at Monkton Heathfield between Bridgwater and Taunton, or call 01823 412381. 

Photo caption: Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre’s General Manager, Norma Moore with the garden centre’s owner David Bellman starting work on the wildlife area.