Please note that this site is still under development. Please check back frequently to see updates
"Welcome to Upton" Garden
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The Site |
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| At the top of Old Greasby Road, just before its junction with Arrowe Park Road, was a block of four cottages. These cottages were part of the Greenbank Estate, and were occupied by workers on the estate. The cottages were demolished in the late 1960s when the road junction was modified.
Following demolition, the site of the cottages was grassed over and pretty much abandoned with little maintenance other than cutting the grass. |
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Where we started |
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| We started with an uncared for, overgrown piece of land located in a prominent position at the cross-roads, a large area of this was dominated by a combination of neglected trees, overgrown ivy and cotoneaster, with a grassed frontage. | |
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Our aim |
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| Our aim was to cut back the cotoneaster and ivy, clean up and refresh the soil and enable the area to be revitalised with a diversity of plants including pollinators and those that can flourish in more shady areas. We also aimed to remove deadwood to encourage growth to mitigate traffic pollution and encourage wildlife. Finally we aimed to provide a pleasant community resource. | |
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What we did |
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| Work on this project started on 10th August 2019 when the Sainsbury's team moved over from The Steps Borders.
Together with UVCG volunteers, the transformation started by cutting back some of the cotoneaster and ivy and then clearing the site of rubbish and roots. The few existing shrubs and plants were tidied up, the grass was cut and edges were trimmed. |
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Paula asked Andy if he could dig out two large oval flowerbeds in the grass. Andy, after pointing out how difficult it was to get two evenly shaped ovals, suggested that he could cut out two diamond shaped beds. Andy found two twigs and a bit of string and in no time the diamonds appeared. When Paula saw the two diamonds, she asked Andy if he could dig out a third. |
| While Andy was digging out the diamonds, Pat attacked the growth overhanging the footpath from the traffic lights to the bus stop. It is a main footpath used by pupils from Upton Hall and St Joseph's schools, and it is narrow, so these overhanging bushes would soak anyone walking past. |
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We continued by cutting back more of the cottoneaster and overhanging ivy, to allow light and rain onto the plants. We cut out old and dead wood and removed the self seeded trees.
Next we pruned straggly bushes and cleared the ground beneath and around the trees, doing this we discovered self seeded hollies and conifers and woodland flowers such as primroses, bluebells and forget-me-nots. After clearing and tidying the ground we planted woodland wild flower seeds and built a rockery area using 'abandoned' and donated sandstone blocks, we also laid woodchip pathways. We planted (mostly) perennials and shrubs that will tolerate some shade and attract pollinators including planning for some all season interest including self seeders |
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In June 2021 our new village sign arrived and was installed by Wirral Council. The sign had been funded by a grant from Wirral Together, our application was supported by the three Upton Ward Councillors, Jean Robinson, Tony Smith and Stuart Whittingham. We were also greatly helped by the Wirral West Constituency Team, especially Helen Gallagher, who worked tirelessly to make this happen. Together we can make a difference! |
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| One of our volunteers, Anita M Varey, has written her own account of the the development of the "Welcome to Upton" garden, and other aspects of life as a volunteer. She has illustrated this with photographs and her own watercolours called "Our Patch - a Gardening Story". Click on the title to see the story. | |
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Gallery |
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