How I got £1000 to create a wildflower meadow

Tom Wright

29 May 2013

How many wildflowers can you buy for £1000? I'm about to find out after my council agreed to fund a number of bee-friendly sites around Walthamstow.

What originally started as quite a small project has grown dramatically in recent weeks. As part of the Bee Worlds project, I approached the council to see if I could create a small wildflower meadow in the corner of my local park.

I got the go-ahead to sow the seeds in spring with the council agreeing to cover the costs of preparing the site. But just as I started to promote a planting day in April, we received bad news. Cut backs in council budgets meant the money wasn't there after all.

Determined not to be put off, I changed tack. Each year Waltham Forest Council also offers funding for community-led projects. I filled in the application form, sent it off and crossed my fingers.

All the funding bids need to be approved at a local residents meeting. I went along and pitched my idea with everyone else - including one for a climbing frame for a children's playground. But by now I'd decided to try and create two Bee Worlds instead of just one.

It turns out that the people of Walthamstow like wildflowers. After I finished talking, they insisted I double the amount of money I asked for. So now I'll be creating five bee-friendly areas in my little corner of East London.

If you feel inspired to do the same in your neighbourhood, here's my top tips: 

1. Be flexible
   Think creatively if your first attempt fails and look for other sources for funding.
2. Be ambitious 
   I underestimated how popular wildflowers are. Think big and aim high.
3. Be patient
   Funding applications usually require lots of paperwork. Plan ahead and give yourself enough time.

I can't plant anything until the autumn. But that gives me several months to fill in all the forms and buy the seeds. Lots of seeds.

Download our free guide to create a Bee World.