A NEW wildflower meadow is being created in Vassalls Park.
The meadow will start taking shape this autumn, when volunteers with rakes will start scarifying or scraping the ground to receive a mix of native wildflower seeds, such as oxeye daisies, field poppies and cornflowers.
If all goes well the first flowers will start to appear next year on the site, which is on a piece of long grass next to a football and cricket pitch between the children’s playground and the Frome Valley Walkway.
Volunteer group Friends of the Park (Oldbury Court Estate/Vassalls Park) has developed plans following a successful bid to the Wessex Water Environment Fund, and will have support from Avon Wildlife Trust and the city council to prepare the site.
Harriet Williams, one of the volunteers involved in the project, said: “The raked ground may look bare at first, but the area will soon bloom into a bed of nodding bright flowers, to the delight of walkers and wildlife alike.
“As we know, British nature is in decline, with populations of species like hedgehogs, sparrows and starlings a shadow of their former selves. By providing food and shelter for bees, crickets and butterflies, meadows play a vital life support role for birds and mammals that snack on insects, or rely on them to pollinate their own food plants.
“Wildflowers are easily smothered by grass, so as much green cover will be removed as possible.
“This phase involves a lot of grunt work – expect to see sweaty but satisfied meadow makers at the site near to the play area, where it will be visible for people to enjoy, without getting in the way of all the sportspeople using this part of the park.”
Join the Fishponds Nature Alliance
Alongside other activities in the park, Friends of the Park are launching the Fishponds Nature Alliance, where local households can register their gardens as ‘Nature Action Zones’.
People can sign up online or email fishpondsnaturealliance@gmail.com.
Harriet said: “In time, we hope to grow the Alliance into a community where local nature lovers support each other through practical action and advice.”
The meadow project follows a busy summer “balsam bashing” – removing invasive species Himalayan balsam from the park.
Next the volunteers will clear laurel from the woods before tackling balsam on the riverbank next summer.
The group is calling on people to get involved via the Friends of Oldbury Court Park Facebook page.
Picture: Friends of the Park volunteers Kate Spreadbury, Mike Gleed, Lori Streich and Clare Maybury at the site with rakes at the ready.