6th July 2017

This year the NEC Birmingham delivered another fantastic Gardeners World Live show and the Bat Conservation trust were there exhibiting for the seventh year in a row. Our bat themed garden this year was 'Moonlight Garden' in which we promoted how to encourage bats in gardens at night. As all 18 UK bat species are nocturnal, we provided information on how to encourage them, for example by growing flowers that attract insects on which all UK bat species feed. Most of the public were unaware of the benefits of growing pale flowers as well as scented flowers to attract insects and therefore bats. We also provided information on how to build your own bat boxes and other garden features such as ponds to encourage a wider variety of insects. For more information on how to encourage bats into your garden please follow THIS LINK to our Gardening for Bats webpage.

We had an incredible team made up of BCT staff and volunteers who helped to create an exceptional atmosphere for everyone that came to our stand. We were joined on the stand by Leasowes Walled Garden who were one of the winners of last years Wild About Gardens photo competition. Over the four days we spoke to over 1000 people about encouraging bats in gardens, in which we focused on bat friendly plants. With the help of our collaborators, VegTrug, John Cullen Gardens, Scotscape, Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses, Tinnisburn Plant Nursery and Glendale Civic Trees, our stand stood out from the crowd with a beautiful selection of flower arrangements and trees - special thanks to Leasowes Walled Garden for their beautiful display. So on behalf of BCT we would like to say a huge thank you to all volunteers and collaborators for all their help and support!

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Another great event promoting gardening for bats is the Celebrity Theatre at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2017 from the 4th - 9th July. This event is supported by Everest Home Improvements. The show will consist of vibrant show gardens, talks and events. A highlight of the show is the three garden displays, designed by David Domoney and which will be represented by Springwatch presenters Chris Packham, Martin Hughes-Games and Michaela Strachan. Each TV presenter will help raise money for their nominated charity and Chris Packham has chosen to support 'The Bat Conservation Trust' for this event. Everest are offering a total prize fund of £8000, and this will be split between the three charities with the winner getting £4K and the two runners up each getting £2K. The other gardens are for Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games, each representing their own chosen charity - so the competition is on! The visitors of the show will vote for their favorite garden. Help support the Bat Conservation Trust by voting for Chris Packham and his bat friendly garden by following THIS LINK and voting for Chris' garden by pressing LIKE - Thank you!

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