New home for local wildlife thanks to West Bridgford students

Earlier this year, the County Council and Notts Outdoors launched A Home for Wildlife competition to primary schools across Nottinghamshire.

West Bridgford Junior School pupil Bella Emmerson, age nine, created the winning design with support from the school’s ‘eco team’ – thirteen classmates who meet regularly to work on environmentally-friendly projects.

Bella’s animal house design features a hedgehog house, bug hotel, birdhouse and pond and is made mainly of wood.

Students from West Nottinghamshire College fully constructed the design which Councillor Mike Adams unveiled to Bella and her classmates last month. The animal house now takes pride of place in the school garden.

Bella said: “It’s so good to see the design in real life. I really love the hedgehog house and hope lots of bugs come and enjoy it!”

Nottinghamshire County Council’s Environment Ambassador, Councillor Mike Adams said: “Bella's brilliant design and their schools motivated eco team, guided by their teacher Alex Nelson, shows what engaging young people in the challenges of our time can yield.

“This competition highlighted the importance of encouraging wildlife into our gardens and open spaces, but it has also shown what great partnership working can deliver.

I would like to personally thank all those involved, from colleagues at the County Council, Bella and her classmates, West Notts

College and the Children in Care Council who judged the primary school entries, Notts Outdoors for providing the prize for the winning design and finally the students from West Notts College that then built the winning design, bringing it to life – they’ve done a fantastic job.

“Hopefully this new animal house encourages more wildlife into the garden here at West Bridgford Junior school.”