When you want a job doing well, the Countryside Regeneration Trust’s volunteers spring into action. As an organisation we couldn’t function effectively without them and we’re always immensely appreciative of the effort every one of them makes.

As part of our ongoing vision for Bere Marsh Farm, a group of eager workers, along with our new volunteer manager Katy Froud, put their backs into ground preparation and seed sowing to create a small wildflower meadow at the farm.

Guided by ecologist Sue Everett, the farm’s new Director – Farming Nature, this is just the first stage of a much bigger and bolder vision for the land.

“We want to lead by example and restore, on a much larger scale, flower-rich meadows, and other habitats on the floodplain that are vital for nature and river recovery, as well as nutrient and flood risk reduction,” explains Sue.

“Currently, the Mid Stour has no flower-rich floodplain meadows left. It will be a challenge to find appropriate seed sources and we will need to engage contractors who can do the work at a large scale with the best chance of achieving success.”

Seeds of many different wildflower species were sown on the pilot meadow, including those of four wild orchids typical to the locality. Their success will help Sue and the Bere Marsh team shape the plans for the land’s future.

Image Above: Volunteers and CRT staff in the pilot meadow. From left to right: Katy Froud, Alison Chopping, Derek Williams, Elaine Spencer White, Jenny Ashdown, Sue Everett, Mitchell Langhelt, Andre Sim, Stephen Arnold, Madeleine Severs, and Sofia Tavener.

If you’d like to volunteer at Bere Marsh Farm or any of our locations, please register your interest and we’ll get right back to you.

By Andrew James, PR & Policy Officer