During the past few years, the Town Council has been conscious of the fact that residents were disappointed the hanging baskets adorning the street lamps in the area had to be removed.

In 2008, Birchwood Town Council, in partnership with Warrington Borough Council, piloted a wildflower scheme on George Duckworth Island (the dogbone) which was well received by local residents and visitors to the area.  When the Town Council was contacted again to see if we may be interested in taking part in the scheme during 2009, Councillors were only too happy to look into the possibilities further.

A series of meetings took place with the Borough Council and Councillors considered a proposal to extend the scheme whilst varying the wildflower seed mixtures to give a range of colour and interest in the area.

Having deliberated for some time, a total of seven sites were selected and several mixes chosen for a number of reasons; to encourage biodiversity whilst introducing more colour to our roadsides.

The sites chosen had to be of a sufficient size to have maximum impact but for a wildflower meadow to flourish we need the right weather conditions.  In 2009 we were lucky enough to have a good mix of sunshine and rain so the majority blossomed attracting favourable comments from both local people and visitors to the area.  It was also pleasing to see the many butterflies and bees.