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Island 'wildlife haven' spruced up by volunteers

Rebecca Brahde
BBC News, Isle of Man
JANE PRESCOTT A view of the garden now, it has a path to a focal point which has a wired three legs of man in it, flower beds are overgrown, there are benches on a grassy area in the space.JANE PRESCOTT
The garden in St John's features a range of themed flower beds

Work to restore a community "wildlife haven" has been undertaken by a group of volunteers.

Garey Yn Ellan Ain, in St John's, was created in 2018 to celebrate the island's Unesco Biosphere status.

The beauty spot, which was installed as a 12-month temporary feature and was due to be dismantled in early 2019, was kept due to its widespread popularity and work to maintain and reinvigorate it has taken place in the last year.

Jane Prescott who designed the space said: "I think when you have a vibrant public space, it creates community as well."

JANE PRESCOTT Small wooden silhouettes of birds are placed in the garden next to large, flat stone slates and long grass and flowers.JANE PRESCOTT
Wooden silhouettes of various species are featured in the garden

The garden has a circular feature in the middle, which Ms Prescott said took inspiration from Tynwald Hill and comprises eight flower beds, representing the island's coastal and land habitats, with a Three Legs of Man sculpture serving as the focal point.

The government-owned plot, which had formerly been the site of a pub, has since been maintained by the prison and probation services, who have also been involved in restoration efforts.

Prompted by members of the community who noticed that the space was looking neglected, work began to raise funds to spruce up the garden.

JANE PRESCOTT The garden when it opened in 2018 there are well kept raised flower beds with a circular feature in the centre and grass and benches around a path.JANE PRESCOTT
The garden was initially opened in 2018

Community volunteers secured funding from various local organisations to restore the flower beds, replace signage and animal silhouettes representing the various species across the island.

Ms Prescott said: "I love seeing people be there and enjoy it.

"I think this is what our landscape should be, drawing communities together and having lots of different ways that people enjoy and use spaces."

Volunteer Helen Robinson said it had been a "lovely community space" when it was first installed and it seemed "a shame that it had gone down hill in the way that it had".

"It's wildlife haven and somewhere people can visit on what would otherwise be a derelict piece of land," she said.

"I think it is important to maintain those kinds of spaces."

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