While we’ve been restoring and creating meadows in Herefordshire we’ve learned so much and are now sharing experience of best practice, the challenges and pitfalls of each stage of the work. We’ve had to face up to the fact that there isn’t a simple recipe or prescription for guaranteed success in meadow restoration. The good news is that Plantlife are… Read more →
Tag Archive for restoration
OPPORTUNITY to purchase share in flower rich traditional orchard in Breinton Common
An opportunity for anyone who’d like to be involved in a meadow / orchard restoration project in a spectacular location in the Wye Valley. Seeking partner funders to join a small consortium to buy a remnant traditional orchard with flower rich pasture overlooking the River Wye and the Black Mountains. See https://www.sunderlands.co.uk/farms-land/property/breinton-common-hereford-6002 The auction is on July 29th 2020 with… Read more →
Virtual Seedling Safari – 16th April 2020- with Matt Pitts of Plantlife
Thanks to everyone who joined the virtual safari on a sunny afternoon from home offices on 16th April 2020 while we are unable to meet on farm as a Group . The silver lining is that we were able to visit many more meadows in one afternoon than would have been possible otherwise. We ranged across Herefordshire from Shenmore, Madley,… Read more →
Simple wildflower and bee surveys help farmers demonstrate benefits of diverse swards on the farm
Herefordshire Meadows members are demonstrating the benefits of restoration projects by doing rapid plant and bee surveys. Everyone can join in by starting now while walking the farm this spring. If you want any help or advice please CONTACT us. Virtual training sessions are being planned. We are confident that herb rich grassland will be supported by DEFRA in… Read more →
Meadow Making in 2019 – final summary
Thanks to The Prince of Wales Charitable Foundation we were able to support farms, smallholdings and community spaces to create and restore 49 ha of meadows in Herefordshire in 2019. This map shows where the fields are located around Herefordshire The farmers used a huge range of different restoration methods and have done plant and bee surveys on the field… Read more →
Diverse swards ARE part of the solution to the climate emergency
Herefordshire Meadows 4th annual Forum was held on 29th February 2020. Over 90 farmers and meadow owners gathered to hear a varied programme of speakers. One farmer commented that the morning provided us with ” how to make a meadow and why we should all be doing it ” all in one session. One of our smallholder members wrote ”… Read more →
Wildflower seedling safari 2 with Matt Pitts from Plantlife
This is a virtual farm walk for anyone who sowed seed in 2019 and has seedlings emerging at the moment. We will look at photos from members meadows and Matt Pitts, Meadow Adviser from Plantlife will be on hand to ID seedlings and give advice on management of your meadow in the early months, including maintaining the balance between wildflower… Read more →
Pollinator Meadows 2020 open for expressions of interest
Good News! We are continuing our partnership with Plantlife and thanks to The Duke of Cornwall’s Benevolent Fund there is further funding for meadow restoration work in 2020 through the Pollinator Meadows Project. If you’re interested in taking part this year, please have a look at the broad criteria in our Expression of Interest form and send us details about… Read more →