Celebrating meadows in Worcester
Tuesday 21st June 2016
Worcester Cathedral from Chapter Meadows (c) Roisin Hanks
A city centre location will be the focus of a celebration of our wildlife during National Meadows Day, 2nd July 2016.
Worcestershire Wildlife Trust’s Wild Worcester project is joining forces with owners of Chapter Meadows, the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust, to help residents enjoy these magnificent urban meadows. National Meadows Day, organised by Plantlife, is an annual event with more than 100 events taking place across the country.
Jane Sedgeley-Strachan, Wild Worcester Project Officer, commented “Worcestershire is a really important county for meadows – about 20% of those that remain are right here on our doorsteps. And Worcester is no exception – Chapter Meadows has been cut for hay and grazed by cattle for hundreds of years, which has allowed flowers and wildlife to thrive.
“National Meadows Day is all about showcasing local gems so I’m being joined by staff and volunteers from both the Wildlife Trust and Duckworth Worcestershire Trust to lead two guided walks around the meadows to help local people discover more about this valuable piece of land.”
A meadow in every parish
Just 100 years ago, there would have been a meadow in every Worcestershire parish, supporting a way of life that had gone on for centuries. They provided grazing and hay for livestock, employment as well as food and medicine for the parish. More than 97% of meadows have been destroyed since World War Two.
A healthy Worcestershire meadow can be home to more than 150 species of wild plants and flowers; a modern grassland can have fewer than ten. In turn, the plants support a huge range of wildlife from birds and bats to butterflies and bees.
The Duckworth Worcestershire Trust has undertaken an ambitious programme of restoration since they purchased the four fields that comprise Chapter Meadows on behalf of the people of Worcester in 1998.
Work there has included ditch clearance, replanting of native hedgerows along original boundaries as well as installation of stock-proof fencing, bridges and kissing gates.
The walks are part of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust’s Wild Worcester project, which encourages Worcester residents to celebrate the special wildlife they share their city with. The Wild Worcester project and National Meadows Day are funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The walks, on Saturday 2nd July, will take place at 11am till 1pm and then again at 2pm until 4pm. Participants of all ages are welcome to attend. The event is free but places are limited so booking is essential on 01905 754919 or email Jane.
Tagged with: Events & Shows, Wild Worcester