The community of Snow Hill have come together at the Gateway Centre in Bath to celebrate the launch of #LoveSnowHill, a year-long programme to improve and brighten up the estate.
Some of the Snow Hill community making a bee box at the launch event
The programme will focus on Snow Hill’s gardens and outdoor spaces.
Organised by the newly formed Snow Hill Residents’ Association in partnership with housing association Curo and Bell Decorating Group, residents and local volunteers, including local Police Community Support Officers Gemma and Chloe, spent the day planting 900 spring-flowering tulip bulbs across the estate.
This was followed by the official launch where residents took part in making bee box hotels under the watchful eyes of Bathscape and Avon Wildlife Trust, and planted bulbs for the home, assisted by Aaron from Avon Greens.
The Residents’ Association is encouraging members of their community to get involved in all the great events that are planned for the next year.
These include establishing a forest school, setting up a regular gardening club for children and adults, and harvesting the wildflower meadows that have recently been planted all over the estate.
Local garden designer Rosie Nottage, along with the Bathscape project, will be helping the residents turn the Snow Hill estate into a beautiful haven for wildlife and bio-diversity that can be enjoyed by the whole community.
Rowan Edwards, Chair of the Residents’ Association, said: “We are so excited to launch the Love Snow Hill project and get our estate looking beautiful.
“Snow Hill has an unfortunate long-standing reputation of having issues and we are working really hard to change this.
“We are focusing on addressing a lot of the legacy problems and showing that we do have a wonderful community of people, determined for change. You can join us by going to fb.me/lovesnowhill.”
Julie Evans, Curo Executive Director of Property Services, said: “The resident-led Love Snow Hill project is a brilliant example of what happens when a community gets together and comes up with their own great ideas. Snow Hill has a fantastic community spirit and I’m really looking forward to seeing these ideas become a reality over the year.”
Jon Wiltshire, Regional Manager Bell Group UK (Bristol) added: “We are delighted to be supporting the residents as they improve their community and create a safe, beautiful and welcoming environment in which they can live and play.
“As the main contractor leading the re-roofing works on the estate we can’t wait to get stuck in to all the fantastic events planned for next year.”
Lucy Bartlett, Bathscape Community Projects Officer said: “Bathscape and our partner Avon Wildlife Trust are really excited to be working with Snow Hill residents over the next few years.
“We’ll be creating a forest school area and helping to keep the new meadow area full of wild flowers and great for bees and other wildlife.”
