Yardley Conservation Society

15/06/2026

On 13th June, volunteers and visitors gathered to celebrate the completion of our project to restore the formal gardens of Old Yardley Park. The rose-beds were at their spectacular summer best, along with the newly-planted parterre and long border.

The highlight was the presentation of a commemorative plaque by Vince Hagan of the National Garden Scheme, in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Birmingham and Mrs Zubeda Rashid, and Councillor Deborah Harris.

Visitors were able to explore the gardens and talk to the volunteers, as well as spending time at the plant and book stall, the flower craft workshop and the flower festival at nearby St Edburgha’s Church.

With the generous support of the National Garden Scheme Community Garden Grants and thanks to our wonderful local volunteers. The gardens have been restored by the Yardley Conservation Society, which organised the event. Our thanks to Peter Corns for the wonderful photos

09/06/2026

Why not join us on Saturday 13th June at Old Yardley Park? 11am until 2pm for our Garden celebrations.
Come to smell the roses!
We have plants and gardening books for sale!
Tea and cake is available in St Edburgha’s Church during the Flower Festival on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th June.
Photos by Kate

09/06/2026

22/05/2026

Celebrate midsummer with us at the Old Yardley Flower & Garden Festival 🌸

As part of the Historic Yardley Project, this special event marks the completion of the restored gardens at Old Yardley Park. Come along to explore the gardens at their summer best, meet local people, and enjoy a wonderful community atmosphere.

We’d love to see you there — everyone welcome 🩷

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗬𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝘁:
https://historicyardley.co.uk/

With thanks to our project partners BlakesleyHall, St Edburgha’s Church and Yardley Conservation Society.

02/05/2026

01/05/2026

IT TOOK YEARS TO GROW — THREE DAYS TO ERASE

On a damp British hedgerow bank, where moss grips the soil and last year’s leaves soften every step, a cluster of Primrose opens quietly to the spring light.

They look ordinary. Small. Replaceable.

We often think nature simply “comes back” after disturbance — that wildflowers will return wherever soil is turned and time is given.

But the truth is slower, and far more fragile.

Primroses are not quick colonisers. In the UK, they spread gradually through seed and short rhizomes, often taking years to form stable colonies. Studies of woodland flora show that once these communities are disturbed — by digging, trampling, or soil compaction — recovery can take decades, if it happens at all.

Right now, across Britain, these flowers are feeding early pollinators — hoverflies, solitary bees, and beetles emerging from winter. Their timing is precise. Their presence, hard-won.

This is not just a patch of flowers.

It is a memory of an undisturbed place.

If we lose it, it does not simply grow back.

If you see primroses:

Don’t pick or dig them up
Stay on paths where possible
Leave the soil exactly as it is

Some parts of spring are not renewable.

They are inherited.
Sources

Woodland Trust
Plantlife
Natural England

29/04/2026

A huge thank you to Marilyn, Angela, Julian, Liz, Robin and Val for all your hard work this week. With a concerted effort we have managed to w**d and strulch most of the long border and w**d and cordon off a third rose bed.

Some OYP Volunteers will be going back tomorrow, 30th April 2026 at 11am to plant cuckoo flowers in the wild flower meadow and try to finish the long bed.

Hope to see you 😊

12/04/2026

12/04/2026

The Yardley Conservation Gardening team have worked hard in the Parterre, Long border, wild flower meadow and woodland areas. There are many more flowers in bloom for the pollinating insects which will hopefully lead to an increase in numbers and diversity of birds.
Thanks to Aidee McCoy for sharing his photos with us.

10/04/2026

Tomorrow 11th April, 2026 is Park Day. So we'll see anyone who can make it around 10 and if you know anyone who might be interested bring them along.

Main jobs w**ding in and around the Parterre, trying out rope 'fences' around roses - need your opinions for options, trying to remove some the grass encroaching the gravel path and, of course, litter-picking 🪏🪴