CHILDREN and adults enjoyed a village fete to celebrate the opening of a new wildlife-friendly reading garden at a Poole library.

The Mayor, Cllr Phil Eades, performed the official opening of the community project at Oakdale Library, which was helped by a £1,500 grant from the National Federation of Women’s Institutes.

For youngsters, the Great Alfredo provided a balloon-twisting pirate adventure and magic show; Dorset Wildlife Trust fun activities; while Lush let them loose on its new product, called Fun. There were also craft, plant and garden stalls, plus cakes and refreshments provided by the WI.

The project came about because Creekmoor with Oakdale WI president Jan Ayrton, herself a keen gardener, discovered that the federation was keen to sponsor groups willing to work in their local neighbourhoods to create wildlife-friendly gardens.

The small branch prepared a detailed proposal to gain the grant, then worked with library members to raise more funds. The garden attractesd support from organisations including Cherry Tree Nursery, Oakwood Gardens, the Fence Store and Tesco.

Volunteers ranging in age from five to 70-something worked on the project, which took only four months to complete. Children made insect houses and bird boxes and several people donated wooden benches.

Jan said: “We have turned a plot of grassland into an oasis for library users and I am sure the children will love the insect mansion, bucket pond and willow wigwam.”