Wildflower meadow being created in Eastham to boost bee population

Oct 19 2011 by Linda Foo Guest, Bromborough and Bebington News

A WILDFLOWER meadow is being created in Eastham to boost the dwindling bee population.

Five acres of new grassland and wildflower meadow will be developed to increase the number of pollinators.

It is based at Co-operative Funeralcare’s woodland bu- rial ground, Mayfields Woodland Remembrance Park.

It is part of the firm’s £750,000 Plan Bee campaign to reverse the decline of UK bee and pollinator numbers.

Ragwort and thick grasses were cleared and the ground was prepared for the sowing of seeds which will provide new habitats for the pollinators.

The grounds of Mayfields Park consist of 18 acres of natural countryside, gorse thickets and developing woodland burial sections.

Funeral director Phil Williams said: “We are keen to encourage native flowers and wildlife to flourish within our grounds so supporting Plan Bee is a natural next step for us.

“Our grounds are set within acres of countryside and the new wildflower meadows will provide not only a beautiful resting place for loved ones, but also a new home for these important insects.”

The UK has lost 97% of its wildflower meadows since the 1930s, which has had a major impact on numbers of pollinators such as bumblebees and butterflies.

Work on the wildflower section will be carried out by the on-site team at the woodland burial grounds in conjunction with BritishFlora, producer of UK native flowers.

Betony, harebell, devil’s-bit scabious and bird’s foots trefoil are among the wildflowers which will be planted and bloom in spring.

Liz Powell, ecologist for BritishFlora, said: “Ecological interactions within a wildflower meadow are very important, from the micro-organisms within the soil to the plants which grow in the soil.

“Invertebrates, reptiles, birds and mammals are dependent on these native species-rich plant communities.

“The creation of these wildflower habitats is an important contribution towards the restoration of our former species-rich meadows.

“Mayfields was a particular challenge due the presence of lots of ragwort and very tussocky thick grass with localised wet areas.”