On Saturday 25th October, I was lucky enough to take part in Wild About Sneinton – a community planting day helping to make Sneinton greener, wilder, and more connected. 

It was truly magical. The sun even made a rare October appearance, and live folk music from The Luddite Folk Session carried through the air as neighbours, volunteers, and local artists transformed patches of unloved land into living mosaics for nature.

From the central spot of Sneinton Road Lawn — between the King Billy and FoodPrint — I watched a constant stream of people arrive to pick up tools, plant bulbs, or simply have a chat. Some even came to donate items, such as gloves and seeds. Grow Notts had everything covered though: spades, gloves, endless trays of plants and bulbs, and wildflower seed shakers handed out freely to anyone passing by. 

All around, creativity flourished. The Carousel ran a popular paste-up workshop, turning blank walls into colourful bursts of community art. Pan Ini led joyful, nature-based art sessions that got everyone smiling. Rights 4 Flies spread their message of insect solidarity through inventive, hands-on activities. Our very own Keeping it Wild got stuck in with building a number of different wildlife habitats. The Dog Ross Show brought some fun, fresh from a US tour, with photorealistic life drawing sessions. 

It clearly wasn’t just about getting fingers muddy and creating spaces for wildlife (which we love!). There was also music, laughter, art, and connection. 

But one conversation stood out to me above it all. 

I was greeted by the incredibly lovely Emma, who offered me a free cup of tea, a homemade biscuit (baked by the local MP, no less), and a chance to take part in apple tasting from a selection picked from her own garden harvest. As we talked, she told me how this all began — not with a committee or a grand funding plan, but with one small, slightly rebellious act. 

A while ago, Emma guerrilla planted wildflower seeds on a neglected patch of public land in Sneinton. When the flowers bloomed, local people shared compliments on what a difference they made to the space. So Emma decided to reach out to Jack from Grow Notts, who went on to speak with the council, secured various funding pots, and rallied a growing network of people to care for local green spaces. 

Fast forward to now: there are seven Sneinton sites transformed, each one buzzing with life and purpose. Plans are underway to work with the local shelter which supports homelessness to grow vegetables for residents, and to create an Asian-inspired herb garden with the elderly residents’ home nearby. Wildlife has not been forgotten — bee posts, dead hedges, plants and other habitats have been installed to ensure nature thrives alongside people. It’s even self-sustaining — so it won’t need much management, making it a sustainable project. 

Listening to Emma, I couldn’t help but feel inspired. How one small, defiant act of care — scattering wildflower seeds — has blossomed into a full community movement. It’s a reminder that even small steps, taken with love, can grow into something far bigger than we imagine. 

Of course, as a conservation charity, we can’t openly endorse guerrilla planting on public land — but we can celebrate the spirit behind it. That spark of wanting to make things better. The courage to start something, even when no one’s watching. 

Because if every person created a little patch for wildlife and talked about it with their neighbours, just imagine what could happen! 

Wild About Sneinton has shown that community action doesn’t just change spaces. It changes how people see themselves: as part of something living, local, and hopeful. And that, to me, is the most magical thing of all.