Community meadow maze unveiled at Woodgate

Developer Thakeham welcomed residents and the wider Pease Pottage community to its Woodgate development on Wednesday 3rd May, to unveil its new wildflower meadow maze. A ribbon cutting took place on the village green with Hillier Garden Centre, Buglife Invertebrate Conservation Trust and teachers and pupils of Woodgate Primary School also in attendance. 

Attendees got the opportunity to take part in a seed ball making activity run by Buglife, receive planting advice from Hillier Garden Centre and talk to Thakeham staff about how they could create space for nature in their own gardens, with Thakeham giving out copies of their Gardening for Wildlife Guide produced with support from Surrey Wildlife Trust.  

The maze landscaping forms a focal point of Woodgate, located as part of its central village green, and features at least 50 different varieties of wildflower to attract pollinators, including bees and butterflies. It has been planted in the shape of the Thakeham fingerprint, which symbolises Thakeham’s unique people-centred approach to sustainability. Two information boards stand at the entrances to the maze to inform children and adults about the value of wildflowers and pollinators.  

Using the Eddie & Ellie themed activity sheet children can explore the maze in search of the different bugs and plants on each activity post throughout the maze, collecting each etching and learning about different species.  

As well as being an attractive feature and play space for residents and visitors to Woodgate, the maze has ecological significance as a B-Lines project, a nationally recognised solution that seeks to help or restore over 150,000 hectares of flower-rich habitat across the UK. This approach forms part of the National Pollinator Strategy; a ten-year plan set out by the Government to help pollinating insects survive.  Thakeham was also inspired by Plantlife’s annual No Mow May campaign, that encourages wildflower development across household gardens by asking us all to put away our mowers for the month of May.  

Josie Cadwallader-Hughes, Sustainability Director at Thakeham, comments: “We’re proud to unveil the wildflower meadow maze at Woodgate for the community to enjoy. Not only does it enhance the open space, but it also highlights the wider importance of bringing people closer to nature on their doorstep. Thakeham is committed to creating wilder places on all our developments, with a promise to deliver at least 10% biodiversity net gain on all new developments, rising to 20% in 2025.  I also hope visitors and residents will feel inspired to incorporate wildflowers and other spaces for nature in their own gardens.” 

The meadow forms part of Woodgate’s wider network of open spaces and pathways that includes play areas, nature trails and cycle routes. Other amenities to benefit residents and the wider community will include the forthcoming Woodgate Hub featuring a café and function spaces together with a community-managed store. 

Find out more about Woodgate or call 01293 225615.