NATURE-LOVERS will have the chance to enjoy the flowers and wildlife Worcester has to offer through two guided walks of the urban meadows.
As part of annual National Meadows Day on Saturday (July 2), Worcestershire Wildlife Trust’s Wild Worcester project will join forces with owners of Chapter Meadows, the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust, to help residents celebrate the wildlife they share their city with.
Just 100 years ago there would have been a meadow in every Worcestershire parish which would be home to more than 150 species of wild plants and flowers, as well as provide grazing and hay for livestock, employment as well as food and medicine.
With more than 97 per cent of meadows destroyed since World War Two, the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust has undertaken an ambitious programme of restoration since they purchased the four fields that comprise Chapter Meadows 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.
Jane Sedgeley-Strachan, Wild Worcester Project Officer, said: “Worcestershire is a really important county for meadows – about 20 per cent 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.”
The walks, on Saturday (July 2), 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
To find out more visit www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk.
