The Wildlife Friendly Garden.
The aim of the garden is to encourage people to attract wildlife to their own gardens by demonstrating how wildlife friendly measures can be incorporated into suburban gardens. Features will include the planting of beneficial species, both native and cultivated, use of reclaimed materials, management regimes that reduce or eliminate the need for chemicals and measures such as compost bins and water butts that enable the use of naturally available resources. Construction of the garden started in 2004 and is expected to involve Local Authority staff, conservation volunteers, scouts, local schools, individuals and volunteers from the brickworks. The area being developed was part of the old railway siding into the works. The garden consists of the following elements:-

• A seating area, incorporating a wooden bench on a paved area.
• A path extending from the existing path along the boundary fence to the seating area comprising brick, hoggin or stepping-stones.
• Composters and water butts.
• Formal flowerbeds containing a range of flowers and vegetables. Varieties chosen will either attract wildlife or act as companion plants to deter pest species.
• Wildflower meadows - these will consist of both spring and summer flowering species and an area of native bulb planting.
• A log pile, bird boxes, dry stonewall and a stag beetle bucket have been provided to encourage a variety of wildlife.
• Additional hedge plants to increase the diversity of the existing hedge. Les Brannon layered this hedge for us using traditional methods.
• A pond with solar pump and reclaimed rock, planted with marginals and other water plants, with consideration being given to child safety, possibly using a grid.
• Use of mulch and soil conditioner. These materials will be recycled green waste.
• The bird hide was purchased with a legacy left by long time supporter Mr Vic Pierson. The bird bath was donated by Friends of the Brickworks, Mr & Mrs Haysom.
• The most recent additions to the garden are a bird cam, situated in a bird box and a pond cam for underwater viewing.
• A series of different information leaflets of a "How to" series, are available from the brickworks gift shop.
• Chris Packham officially opened the garden in 2005
• Organisations that have helped include Fareham Borough Council, Environment Agency and Maidenhead Aquatics.
• The garden was greatly helped by a Lottery "Awards For All" grant.