Grass verges, footpaths, bridleways and lanes
The Parish ran a trial in the Harcombe Road and Rhode Hill areas to identify floristically rich verges to bridleways, footpaths and country lanes. The aim is to ensure that small tracts of such verges are protected from strimming until after key plants have flowered and set seed.
Ramsons (wild garlic) in Furzehill Plantation, Gore Lane
The areas are identified by two 4ft. posts each with a broad red band around their tops, and should not be cut until late summer. Necessary visibility splays at corners and road junctions will not be impaired.
To extend the scheme across the Parish depends upon:
- identifying floristically rich and interesting verges, and
- good communication between those with local knowledge and the operatives who carry out verge maintenance cutting.
Anyone who knows of a floristically rich verge or an area with a scarce wild plant that is worthy of protecting from the strimmer is invited to notify the Parish Clerk giving:
- Location
- Reason for protection
- His/her name and contact number/address
In this way, it is hoped that a picture for the whole parish will be gradually built up.
The range of habitats and the wealth of natural flora and fauna is one of the prides of the Parish and we need to do all we can to conserve this natural asset for the enjoyment of parishioners and visitors alike.