The residents of Woodhurst Park have come together to mark the start of spring and enjoy their first community picnic within Bracknell's newest Country Park.
The "Wildlife in the Community" celebration was hosted by Berkeley Homes, with support from, the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust.
Local families, including some who have just moved into their new Woodhurst Park home, were treated to guided nature walks, arts and crafts sessions, a raffle and lawn games.
The Wildlife Trust explained how everyone can support biodiversity though cultivating nature-friendly plants in gardens, balconies or window boxes. There were also pop-up gardens on display including lavender and perennial wallflower, both of which are very good for bees and butterflies.
Local youngsters, were taught to build their own bee hotels and were taken on intrepid 'mini-beast hunts' to find the hidden creepy-crawlies making their home in the new Country Park landscape.
Jo, a Woodhurst Park residents, said: "What a wonderful day. It was so informative and interesting and everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves."
Andrew, another resident of Woodhurst Park, said: "We certainly really enjoyed it and learned a lot. We keep seeing Skylarks over the development now! We also met a whole bunch of people we hadn't seen before. It was a great turnout."
Andrew Saunders Davies, chairman of Berkeley Homes Oxford and Chilterns, said:
"This event was all about giving local people the chance to mix, meet and enjoy this beautiful park. I want to thank everyone who made it such a lovely occasion, especially the intrepid young bug-hunters. I also would like to thank the local Oaktree Garden Centre and Nursery who donated one of the prizes for the raffle which helped raise money for the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust."
Richard Woods, from Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust, said: "It was really great to meet the new residents of Woodhurst Park and show them some of the nature on their doorstep. They seem genuinely interested in how they can bring nature into their gardens and appreciate the green spaces that have been included in the development."
Berkeley Homes Oxford and Chilterns is starting to work with residents to develop a bespoke Community Plan for Woodhurst Park. The aims are to create new and lasting connections between people living within this new development, and across the wider community.
The plan will include a range of social events and clubs where residents can meet up, as-well-as encouraging residents to take control of a budget, form a committee and shape the next wave of community activities for themselves.
Find out more about Berkeley's approach to community building at www.berkeleygroup.co.uk/successfulplaces and to get involved with the Woodhurst Park community plan email woodhurstpark@berkeleygroup.co.uk