This was the first of a series of Three Pigeons Plot group sessions focusing on the construction of 'The Three Pigeons Insect Hotel' and new planting to surround it. Easing of lockdown restrictions mean that socially-distanced small group sessions of up to six people are now possible. Hurrah!

Kate, Harry and Anita attended this inaugral small group session and each worked on their own socially distanced tasks. The scheduled 90 minute session stretched to become a 3 hour marathon and we were able to get a huge amount done.

Harry worked in the middle of the plot, marking out a 80 x 100cm (EUR1 pallet-sized) footprint for the insect 'hotel'. Using pickaxe, fork and spade he dug out the rock-hard soil in the four corners, right down to the concrete base, removing enough soil to bury a vertical length of tree trunk in each hole. These will provide additional habitat beneath the Insect Hotel for insects such as stag beetles that spend most of their life in a larvae stage, living underground and munching away on rotting wood. Harry also riddled the soil to separate out the stones. This will make the soil much easier to work in future and provided a huge quantity of small stones for the 'gravel garden' around the silver bollard.

Anita worked at the top of the plot (the 'Gin Garden', home to herbs and medicinal plants) on weeding, removing spent poppies and planting dill seedlings.

Kate spent the mission weeding, preparing and then planting an area of the plot adjacent to the river. Dozens of small Alyssum 'violet queen' (Lobularia maritima)plants, grown from seed, should provide a carpet of sweetly scented lilac and purple flowers later in the summer and hopefully into next year as well. Kate also gratiously acknowledged and fielded all the 'thank yous' and appreciative comments from passers by who are wowed by our flowers.

Going forward, there will be weekly Small Group Missions to work on the Insect Hotel and new planting, plus individual drop-in sessions that can be done at any time. You'll see them listed separately if you search for Missions in 'Find a Session'.