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Brett and the Growing Heart of BeWild Dartmouth


By Victoria Benns Founder & Director of Trailblazing, Be Wild S


tep into Smith Street Deli and you quickly sense that it’s more than just a


place to pick up a coffee or a delicious lunch. Under the care of Brett and Janine Reid, the deli continues to be a welcoming meeting point in the heart of Dartmouth, somewhere conversations start, ideas are shared and community naturally gathers. Now it is also becoming a focal


point for BeWild Dartmouth, a growing network of people working together to help wildlife flourish right on our doorstep. Brett has been a key supporter of


the BeWild initiative, playing an im- portant role in Wild at Work, which encourages local businesses to take positive steps for nature. During the recent Wild Week, passers-by on Smith Street could see Brett’s contribution before they even stepped inside. The deli windows were beautifully painted with a meadow scene, reflecting the as- pect of wildlife Brett has chosen to champion - wildflower meadows. It’s a choice that connects closely


to food, something Brett thinks about every day. Wildflowers and grasses support the insects and


pollinators that help produce much of the food we eat. Without healthy insect populations, the wider food web, and our own food systems,


Visitors to the deli can pick up wildlife gardening booklets, filled with inspiration and practical tips for making space for nature at home.


struggle. Across Dartmouth, the BeWild


community are taking action in their own gardens. Many are choosing to let grass grow longer and planting native wildflowers to


create small patches of meadow. These areas quickly become alive with insects, which in turn support the wider ecosystem, from frogs and hedgehogs to birds and bats. Smith Street Deli is helping bring these ideas into the centre of town. Visitors to the deli can pick up


wildlife gardening booklets, filled with inspiration and practical tips for making space for nature at home. There’ll be information and books to browse, and from time to time Brett plans to host informal BeWild drop-in sessions for people to share ideas or suggestions, seek advice, and become part of this growing community. As the BeWild Dartmouth project


develops, Smith Street Deli will also act as a hub where people can collect native wildflower seeds and other resources to help them start their own wildlife-friendly projects. At home, Brett and his family are gently rewilding their own


Claire Gillo Photography


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