Poole Museum

We are excited to share that Scaplen’s Court Garden has received a wonderful boost, thanks to a generous donation from Dorset Wildlife Trust and the hard work of our dedicated volunteers!

Dorset Wildlife Trust has been actively encouraging the growth of pollinating plants to support our vital insect population. Their recent donation includes a variety of plants that will create a haven for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, which are essential for maintaining the health and diversity of our ecosystem.

Wilder Communities Officer Anona Dawson spent the morning in the garden with dedicated volunteers, helping to prepare the historic garden for the coming season. She noted, "Poole Museum's volunteer group is very friendly, with many of the volunteers living nearby without their own gardens, so they enjoy the friendship of other volunteers while tending Scaplen's Court garden. They all clearly love getting stuck in and come with a love of the outdoors and gardening for wildlife and people."

Anona told us more about their work and the sponsors that make it possible: "With the help of South Western Railway funding we have provided plants for the garden such as Rosemary, Sage, Santolina, and Curry Plant among others. These plants are medicinal and particularly good for pollinators, which are in decline throughout the UK.

"We support individuals, communities, education establishments, and businesses to create more space for nature – from green spaces to gardens and balconies, complementing wild areas along the railway corridor.

"Through the Customers and Communities Improvement fund (CCIF), South-Western Railway is helping to further Dorset Wildlife Trust’s work with communities around Poole and Hamworthy stations, and the old railway line to Broadstone and Corfe Mullen."

If you'd like to learn more about Dorset Wildlife Trust's wildlife-friendly gardening and how you can make a difference, visit their website here - Wildlife-friendly gardening | Dorset Wildlife Trust

We are incredibly grateful to Dorset Wildlife Trust and their sponsor, South Western Railway, for their support, and a huge thank you to the team of volunteers who helped with the project!