Greenkeepers at Hever Castle Golf & Wellbeing have been installing 16 more bat boxes following a grant from an American charity.
Head Greenkeeper Rob Peers has been undertaking a host of environmental initiatives including putting in bat boxes throughout the course.
These projects saw the club win in the Sustainable Project of the Year category at the national Golf Environment Awards 2023.
The Fairways Foundation, which funds local and global conservation projects, has given $3,000 for bat boxes as part of 12 successful grant applications this year.
The wooden boxes were cut out, put together and stained by the greenkeeping team before being installed at `bat point’.
Seven boxes were put in the grounds of the golf club in early 2023 and a further nine were added in autumn 2023.
Matt Foster, CEO and president of Aquatrols and president of The FairWays Foundation, said, “We understand making a difference locally takes tremendous grit from a local champion. It might be a greenkeeper or parks manager. Regardless, without their will, these projects would never move forward. Our message to those individuals out there with a wish for a healthier environment is The Fairways Foundation can help with the way to get there.”
Rob said: “The grant allowed the club to buy the raw materials for the bat box construction from both smaller local businesses, and some of the other materials from larger but still local retailers to the community. The project also gave us the opportunity to “upcycle” and “recycle” some materials and components left lying around or left over from other projects that may have not been much use for anything else.
“We have provided a new habitat for hopefully generations of bats to come.”
Book your visit to Hever Castle & Gardens.
Within the grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, there are two opportunities for you to stay the night with us.
Hever Castle has played host to many important events and celebrations for over 600 years. In 1903 when William Waldorf Astor set about restoring Hever Castle to its former glory, he added the Astor Wing, to accommodate his family and guests, before creating a lake and the spectacular Italian Garden to house his impressive collection of ancient Greek and Roman statuary.
There are multiple places to eat & drink across the Hever Castle Estate. Select between the Castle & Gardens and Golf Club below to discover more.
Set in the mature grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, Hever Castle Golf Club is a 27 hole Kent golf course that will encourage and inspire all golf enthusiasts.
Set in the mature grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, the Wellbeing Centre consists of five smart treatment rooms.
