A dedicated group of residents are transforming the streets of New Brighton 1 planter at a time, creating greener spaces, boosting biodiversity and bringing the local community together through creativity and gardening.

Friends of Victoria Quarter, a volunteer-led group based in New Brighton’s Victoria Quarter, was formed 3 years ago with a shared vision of making the neighbourhood a more attractive, welcoming and environmentally healthy place to live.

The group is part of a network of community and volunteer groups in New Brighton including New Brighton in Bloom, who create the container planting schemes around Victoria Road, and the fabulous New Brightoners — litter-picking champs of the area. Whilst countless locals and day trippers enjoy the local area, it is these groups of ‘unsung heroes’ working behind the scenes to keep it looking so lush.

Their recent focus has been on the brick planters located throughout the Victoria Quarter which need extra care, many of which had become overgrown and underused after years of neglect. Through sustainable planting schemes, creative projects and regular community gardening sessions, the group has been steadily restoring and reimagining these spaces for the benefit of residents, visitors and wildlife.

Meeting every 2nd Sunday morning, volunteers work together to improve planting, increase biodiversity and create a stronger sense of community in the area. In 2024, the group celebrated a major milestone after securing almost £11,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund to support its Floral Civilians Project — a year-long programme of free creative activities, workshops and training designed to enhance local green spaces and celebrate New Brighton’s heritage as a coastal resort.

The funding, made possible by National Lottery players, has already enabled the group to improve soil quality within the planters and deliver a series of creative workshops, including creative writing, photography and printmaking. It has also supported the development of an ambitious tapestry lawn project outside the Floral Pavilion, transforming part of the former Floral Pavilion gardens into a vibrant, biodiverse planting scheme.

The tapestry lawn was initially developed with the support of artist and gardener Andrea Ku, who led six gardening workshops with local residents. Thanks to additional funding from Wirral CVS, Friends of Victoria Quarter has been able to continue working with Andrea as the project evolves, with further gardening workshops and specialist sessions focused on soil improvement planned for this autumn.

The group has also recently secured funding from the National Garden Scheme, which will enable volunteers to plant large numbers of naturalising spring and summer bulbs across the area later this year, creating long-lasting seasonal colour and supporting pollinator insects for years to come. Further support has come from Birkenhead Park, which kindly donated leaf mould to improve soil conditions within some of the planters.

Sustainability is at the heart of every aspect of the project. The group focuses on resilient planting schemes that can withstand New Brighton’s coastal conditions, return year after year and provide food and habitat for wildlife, while remaining manageable and enjoyable for volunteers to maintain. The raised brick planters have also created an unexpected benefit by making gardening more accessible for people who may struggle with traditional gardening activities as you don’t have to bend down.

Chair of Friends of Victoria Quarter, Tim Brunsden, said:- “It’s been a fantastic way to get to know people in our area and learn about different plants. We’ve focused on sustainability by choosing plants that provide colour year after year, while also making sure the gardening stays manageable and enjoyable for the group. It’s also been wonderful to connect with other local organisations doing great work, including New Brighton in Bloom and New Brighton Creative Futures. Thanks to funding from Wirral CVS, we’re now looking at ways to improve the soil quality in our planters, which can become very dry during the summer months.”

Many volunteers have praised the project as it has given them both a sense of purpose in their community and also an opportunity to make new friends. Volunteer Denise Courcoux added:- “Being part of the Friends group has been a lovely way to make friends with neighbours and make a positive contribution to the place we live.”

As part of the Floral Civilians Project, the group is also embracing a fresh perspective on urban nature by celebrating the so-called “volunteer” plants that appear naturally in the area. Rather than viewing these resilient species as weeds, volunteers are learning about their role in supporting local wildlife and what they can reveal about the soil and ecology of urban New Brighton.

This ethos has inspired the group’s latest idea — a dog-friendly flower garden outside the Guide Dog statue near the Floral Pavilion. Drawing inspiration from the work of renowned herbalist Juliette de Bairacli Levy, the proposed planting scheme will feature dog-safe species including dandelion, thyme, rosemary, chamomile, fennel, peppermint, parsley and yarrow.

Designed in a similar style to the tapestry lawn, the canine friendly garden will aim to honour the guide dogs commemorated here by creating a beautiful, sensory-rich space for all dogs to enjoy. “Dogs are incredibly clever and sensitive to their environment, none more so than the amazing guide dogs memorialised in this little corner of New Brighton,” said the group.

By combining environmental action, creativity and community spirit, Friends of Victoria Quarter is proving that small, grassroots initiatives can have a lasting impact — creating greener streets, stronger connections and a healthier future for New Brighton.

To get involved with the group, message on Instagram or contact Tim Brunsden on:- tim.lightfactory@gmail.com 

To donate to the latest project, click here.