National Park Trust pleased with progress
One year after being chosen for a special ‘Bee Lines’ project by the South Downs National Park Trust, an update from the Parish Council has been well received.
New wildlife habitats are being created around the edges of the Recreation Ground where actions in the twelve months have included: getting soil samples analysed; making a record of current plant species; cutting the long grass margins, followed by the second annual ‘Community Hay-Day’; getting a professional cut, collect and scarification undertaken; and sowing Yellow Rattle seeds.
There has been a very impressive showing of Yellow Rattle in its first year and hopefully weather conditions will help that continue in the years ahead.
Yellow Rattle is often described as the ‘meadow maker’ due to its ability to weaken vigorous grasses and allow other wildflowers to flourish. It is a hemi-parasite on grasses and, once established, it should allow many other wildflowers to grow and establish around the edges of the recreation ground reducing the threat of grasses taking over.
In addition about 60 mixed native hedgerow whips were planted and over 200 wildflower plug plants were added to try to help increase the diversity. The aim is to get successional flowering, a variety of colours and as extended a flowering period as possible.
The Parish Council had already started working with Hampshire County Council as one of six ‘pilot’ places in the county, trying to improve conditions for pollinators – and it has been helpful to get extra assistance from the National Park.
Bees, butterflies, beetles and other bugs play vital roles by pollinating plants that bring us so many everyday things – from fruit and vegetables, to raw materials, essential oils and also fibres for making clothes.
But, in recent years, these species have been suffering. Many are in decline and need our help more than ever.
It is increasingly being realised that nature is under pressure and needs help.
Everyone can play a part in creating new wildflower corridors to help pollinators to thrive: from household gardens to commercial farmland.
More surveys on the Recreation Ground will be done again in July, followed by the community cut and Hay Day tasks later in the year.
Please contact Petra Norris, Parish Clerk, if you would like more information so as to be able to help with this project in any way: 07943 536065 or buritonparishcouncil@hotmail.co.uk.
