Reclaiming forgotten land can bring pockets of nature back to life and is vital for urban areas to provide a respite for wildlife. Bar End Meadow is next to St. Catherine’s Park and Ride, on the edge of the South Downs National Park and near St. Catherine’s Hill nature reserve. It shares some of the species of flora and has plenty of potential for more. Also included in the project are a few other nearby forgotten and neglected pieces of land.
The first thing one notices in Spring is the carpet of buttery cowslips making an incredible view across the meadow. We are hoping to uncover many other wildflower species and increase the biodiversity with proper meadow management.
We plan to restore the chalk meadow and other spaces which are important habitats with a unique flora and fauna. These habitats are disappearing without people realising their uniqueness and importance for wildlife and people. Their proximity to the City and South Down National Park make them important spaces for people to connect to the land and nature.
Left unloved and unmanaged these meadow habitats are already showing signs of hawthorn and scrub invasion, the opportunity to create a mosaic of species rich habitats would be lost if action is not taken soon. The fragmented sites are in multiple ownership and there was a lack of a cohesive plan to maximise their potential in terms of wildlife and benefit to the local community.
With other residents in Highcliffe I approached CPRE with a plan for restoration and the engagement of local communities. They have supported us and helped secure grants from the South Downs Sustainable Communities Fund, Hampshire County Council and the Cameron Bespolka Trust.
This year, with the help of the local community we cut a crop of hay by hand using Austrian scythes - much friendlier to the environment than tractor cutting as it allows more of the seeds to return to the soil and made 45 bales of hay which has been sold to the local sheep keepers at Highcliffe Allotments. We have also run walks and had visits by children from All Saints primary school and are looking to do more next year.
You can find out more about the project on the CPRE web site here
You can find out more about Rachel Remnant here
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