We must adapt to changes in the climate and encourage wildlife to take up residence in our gardens.

That’s the message from the Watton Allotment Association (WAA), which has recently secured funds to supply water butts, guttering, pollinator hotels, bird boxes and hedgehog houses to its allotment holders free of charge.

The money was obtained thanks to a grant from the Local Nature Partnership which is managed by the Bannau Brecheiniog National Park Authority.

Many of the items have been sourced locally with groups such as Brecon Men’s Shed (run by Brecon Volunteer Bureau) making some of the bird boxes and hedgehog houses.

Pollinators, such as bees and other flying insects, help to increase the yield of crops while birds and hedgehogs are known for having slugs and snails, the arch enemies of the gardener, near the top of their lunch menus.

Jackie Thomas, co-chair of the WAA, told the the Brecon & Radnor Express: “Last year we were subject to such extremes of heat and rain during the growing season that we felt it was great idea to find small ways of helping our members get good yields in return for their efforts.

“Our members generously donate their spare produce to the Brecon Food Bank so the community will also benefit from this initiative.

“The recycled plastic water butts are aimed at utilising water run-off from shed roofs and will hopefully reduce our mains-water usage and at the same time reduce our costs.

“This grant also funded an excellent talk from Pauline Hill from the South and West Wales Wildlife Trust on how to encourage the vegetable friendly wildlife, from the humble but important earthworm to the more exotic dragon flies.

“We are very grateful to the Local Nature Partnership for the grant and we look forward to a great growing season this year.”