Red Kite Wildlife Warrior #15

Clare Orridge

We first met Clare at Willow Farm Primary School. After initial talks with Mrs Jamson, the Head teacher, Clare organised an after school club with the aim to promote and develop the children’s  love and understanding of the Natural World. These children would go on to achieve a Goldcrest Ranger Award for their contribution to Nature in the local area. As we worked with Miss Orridge and the children,  it soon  became clear that this wasn’t just another box to tick for Clare. Her love for Nature and need to encourage and inspire the children  was obvious and her own contribution at home is clear. She gardens for flora and fauna alike and embraces all who enter her patch of paradise,  even if they do eat her vegetables! There is room for all in her garden and below are a selection of Native and Non Native plants, in borders, pots and raised beds, which attract a wide range of insects.

I’ve always enjoyed pottering in the garden, but like lots of people, I started to spend a lot more time in the garden during lockdown in 2020.  My Dad gifted me his old greenhouse and I started to grow a few veggies, as well as adding more flower beds.  Noticing that more pollinators were using the garden, I started to leave patches of lawn unmown for the bees to enjoy.  Each year I try to add more flowering plants to planters and pots dotted around the garden.  I don’t really have a theme – I just put in plants that I like and that I think pollinators might like.  If it grows, it grows and if it doesn’t then I’ll try something else next year!



More wildlife has been visiting each year; I have had hedgehogs the last few years and this year I have enjoyed watching the butterflies and dragonflies, as well as goldfinches, sparrows, robins, starlings and blue tits visiting the bird feeders.  The bug hotels have been popular with the solitary bees.  My new addition this year is a miniature pond and the pond snails have already moved in.  I’m looking forward to seeing what might take up residence in there next.



Working in a school, I also think it is important to enthuse the next generation of conservationists.  I love exploring the outdoors with young people and teaching them about looking after nature and the environment.



As well as being good for the local wildlife, the garden is good for me.  Whether it’s sitting enjoying the visiting wildlife or getting stuck in with some hard graft, gardening is good for the soul. ‘

Clare Orridge