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STUNNING HOLIDAY COTTAGE IN WARKWORTH, NORTHUMBERLAND
Treat yourself to a luxury break at the 4* Gold Award winning Little Red Hen House. An elegant and cosy holiday home just a 7 minute drive from award-winning and dog-friendly Warkworth beach.
✽ 2 spacious en-suite bedrooms
✽ A fully enclosed garden
✽ 2 small to medium dogs welcome (3 upon request)
✽ Fully equipped kitchen, including an American style fridge freezer
✽ Perfect for exploring the stunning Northumbrian Heritage Coastline
✽ Close to a range of dog friendly pubs, cafes & restaurants in stunning Warkworth
✽ We have fast fibre Wi-Fi and smart TV’s
FROM THE EDITOR
Upcoming submission deadline for advertisers & contributors:
AUG ‘26 EDITION - 6TH JULY ‘26 | SEPT ‘26 EDITION - 10TH AUG ‘26
owdi readers, I say ‘Howdi’ not to infuriate Mike and his Americanism fixation (although that’s an added bonus! ), but because I’m as hot as a Texan Ranger looking for water in the desert at the time of writing! And I’m as grumpy as one too….as quite rightly all my sports have been cancelled to boot. I’m much happier when it’s warm, but as a country, we aren’t exactly set up for coping with heat…. roads will start melting in a minute…. hey, maybe it’ll fill in the pot holes!!?? I digress!
Also, at the time of writing, we’ve just watched England draw with Ghana……. my Grandma swore by the old saying of ‘bad start, good finish’ *crosses fingers*, mind you, she was cheating an 8yr old out of a victory in Ludo at the time, so I’m not sure how much stock I put in that, but the sentiment is nice, I guess!! Come on fella’s, time to show us why you earn the big bucks!!!
Speaking of a change in management…. looks like we will have a new PM by the end of this year. Like him or loathe him, 7 Prime Ministers in 10 Years doesn’t exactly scream stability and we will all feel the effects of that. But we have what we have I guess whilst ever we have the first-past-the-post electoral system. Anyway, that’s enough of that, we don’t do politics here and I don’t want my email inbox filling up with unnecessarily angry emails – I get enough of those thankyou!!
Anyway, in other news, Mr Emily had to renew his passport this month and what I can genuinely recommend is South Normanton Post Office, who literally take care of the whole thing digitally, photo and all. It’s still an expensive do getting your passport renewed but no more silly form filling and chasing around trying to find a small box that takes tiny pictures in a supermarket car park, adjusting the height of the stupid stool, getting 4 but only needing 1 at the cost of a tenner….what do you even do with the other 3??! I’m sure other Post Offices are available for this service….but if not, these are your guys – you heard it here first!!
Stay cool & hydrated peeps, Happy Reading, Emily x
WITH 11 MAGAZINES COVERING DERBYSHIRE & NOTTINGHAMSHIRE, Why not advertise in another area
Why reaching agreement is the best outcome for children?
One of the most difficult issues separating parents face is deciding where their children will live and how much time they will spend with each parent.
While relationship breakdowns can be emotionally challenging for everyone involved, family law specialists at Graysons say that reaching an agreement outside of court is almost always the best outcome for children.
Megan Wroe, head of the firm’s family department, says many parents are surprised to learn that there is no automatic formula when it comes to deciding living arrangements after separation.
“Every family is different and what works well for one child may not be right for another,” she explained. “The focus should always be on what is in the child’s best interests rather than what either parent wants.”
In most cases, parents are encouraged to reach an agreement themselves about where their child will live and how much time they will spend with each parent. Although these arrangements do not have to be legally binding, many families find it useful to create a parenting plan setting out how day-to-day arrangements will work.
When considering the best arrangements, parents may need to think about a range of practical issues. These can include who has historically been the child’s main carer, the age of the child, where
each parent lives, working patterns and the impact any proposed changes may have on the child’s routine and wellbeing. However, agreement is not always possible.
Where disputes arise, parents may seek help from a family solicitor or mediator to find a solution. If those routes fail, either parent can ask the court to make a decision through a Child Arrangements Order. This is generally viewed as a last resort, with the court stepping in only when other attempts to resolve matters have been unsuccessful. When making a decision, judges must follow the welfare checklist set out in the Children Act 1989. This includes considering the child’s wishes and feelings, their emotional, educational and physical needs, the likely impact of any changes to their circumstances, and the ability of each parent to meet those needs.
Megan added: “The best outcome for children is usually where parents can work together and reach a harmonious agreement without court intervention. Unfortunately, that is not always possible.
“When disputes become difficult, it is important to seek expert advice early. Our experienced family law team can help parents explore all available options, including negotiation, mediation and, where necessary, court proceedings, while keeping the welfare of the child at the heart of every decision.”
Megan Wroe
OFTEN PEOPLE THINK THEY KNOW WHAT A WILL IS OR WHAT IT DOES. BUT THERE ARE MANY MISCONCEPTIONS REGARDING WILLS. HERE ARE SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE MYTHS AND THE CORRECT INFORMATION.
1. “Only rich people need a Will.”
Not so. A Will is not reserved for people with yachts, vineyards, and suspiciously large portrait collections. Even modest estates can involve bank accounts, personal items, vehicles, pets, digital assets, and family arrangements.
2. “If I die without a Will, everything automatically goes to my spouse.”
Not necessarily. Intestacy laws may have their own ideas, and they are not known for their sentimental judgment or excellent bedside manner.
3. “My family will sort it out peacefully.”
Possibly. But assuming that every relative will become calm, generous, and administratively efficient after a death is a bold litigation strategy.
4. “A handwritten note is always enough.”
Sometimes informal documents can be valid, but “I leave everything to Dave — cheers” written on a napkin is not exactly the gold standard of testamentary drafting.
5. “Marriage or divorce won’t affect my Will.”
In many jurisdictions, marriage or divorce can revoke or alter parts of a Will. Big chances in life mean big chances in death.
LOCAL SOLICITORS FOR LOCAL PEOPLE
6. “The executor can do whatever they like.”
An executor is the deceased’s labourer. Executors owe fiduciary duties, must follow the Will, account properly, and act in the interests of the estate and beneficiaries.
7. “A Will avoids probate automatically.”
A Will is not a probate invisibility cloak. Probate may still be required depending on the assets, their value, and how they are owned.
8. “Joint assets always pass under the Will.”
Not always. Jointly owned property may pass automatically to the survivor, depending on ownership structure. The Will cannot gift what the estate does not own!
9. “A Will covers medical decisions while I’m alive.”
A Will operates after death. It does not help if someone loses capacity during life. That usually requires powers of attorney.
10. “A DIY Will is always fine.”
DIY Wills can work if properly prepared and executed, but errors can be expensive. Saving a small amount upfront may lead to a family meeting featuring lawyers, invoices, and the phrase “what did they mean by this?”
IF YOU WISH TO DISCUSS YOUR WILL PLEASE CONTACT US AT CLAY LANE LEGAL
Mat Barnes, Hunters Partner
RAIN, RHYME AND RITUAL:
THE STORY OF ST. SWITHIN’S DAY
Every year on 15th July, Britain marks the wonderfully quirky tradition of St. Swithin’s Day — a date wrapped in folklore, weather predictions, and a healthy dose of superstition. While modern meteorologists may raise an eyebrow at the idea, the legend remains one of the nation’s most charming seasonal sayings.
St. Swithin himself was an Anglo-Saxon bishop of Winchester in the 9th century. Known for his kindness and humility, he served as Bishop of Winchester during the reign of King Egbert. According to tradition, St. Swithin requested that when he died, he should be buried outside where “the sweet rain of heaven” could fall upon his grave. He died on 2nd July 862, and his wish was honoured.
However, several years later, the monks of Winchester decided they wanted to move his remains inside the cathedral to a grander resting place. Legend says that on the very day they attempted to move him — 15th July — a tremendous storm broke out, with rain pouring relentlessly for forty days and forty nights. Since then, folklore has claimed that whatever the weather is like on St. Swithin’s Day will continue for the next forty days.
The famous rhyme goes:
“St. Swithin’s Day, if thou dost rain, For forty days it will remain; St. Swithin’s Day, if thou be fair, For forty days ’twill rain nae mair.”
It is one of those gloriously British traditions that combines our love of discussing the weather with a touch of medieval mystery.
Whether people truly believe the forecast or not is beside the point — St. Swithin’s Day has become part of the nation’s cultural fabric.
Of course, scientifically speaking, the legend does not quite hold up. The Met Office has repeatedly explained that there is no evidence of a strict forty-day weather pattern beginning in mid-July. Yet there is a tiny grain of truth hidden in the tale. Around this time of year, Britain’s summer weather patterns often settle into longer spells of similar conditions, meaning wet or dry periods can indeed linger for a couple of weeks.
Beyond the weather lore, St. Swithin’s Day has inspired festivals, school rhymes, newspaper headlines, and endless cheerful debates over picnic plans and soggy barbeques. It also serves as a reminder of how deeply history and storytelling are woven into everyday British life. Few countries could turn a bishop’s rainy funeral into a national talking point more than a thousand years later.
Today, visitors can still explore Winchester Cathedral, where St. Swithin’s shrine once stood and where pilgrims travelled from far and wide during the Middle Ages. Although the grand shrine was destroyed during the Reformation, the legend has survived remarkably well.
So, when 15th July arrives each year, many people still glance nervously out of the window. Sunshine brings hope for a glorious summer ahead, while raindrops may inspire a resigned sigh and the inevitable phrase: “Typical British weather!”
Opening times
17:00 - 00:00
08:30 - 00:00
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RALLY
HIGH ACRES FARM, DEWY LANE, BRACKENFIELD, DERBYSHIRE. SatNav: DE55 6DB what3words: wreck.cuddling.status
Remembering chapel events
Many Sunday schools held an annual “walking round” procession with the church family parading through the streets and stopping at set points to sing hymns. My husband, Paul remembers one occasion when a piano accordion accompanied the singing, with mixed musical success.
After the “walking round,” the Sunday school anniversary was held in the chapel. Children performed presentations for the congregation, dressed in their new clothes and often taking part in action songs. Paul often retells the story of “Wide, Wide as the Ocean” being sung from wooden staging, only for the entire back row to disappear from view when the children enthusiastically threw back their arms. Visiting preachers were welcomed, and prizes—usually a Ladybird book—were awarded.
Some Sunday school chapels also organised an annual charabanc trip, often to the seaside and
usually accompanied by plenty of singing. Others held a sports day or tea party instead.
An annual “Festival of Queens” was sometimes held, with girls dressed as queens and donations from the sale of Sunny Smiles given to the National Children’s Home. What Paul remembers most about these events is that there was always extra cake. Happy days.
Janet and Paul Barrass are All Around the Shire. Find us on or email: oldfield512@btinternet.com for more information.
The New Tupton Ivanhoe F.C. Summer Festival of Football has once again been a success on and off the pitch.
One of the largest grassroots football tournaments in the region, the festival attracted teams in age groups from under 7s to under 13s.
Clubs travelled from across the region with winners of the various tournaments vowing to return to defend their titles in 2026.
Andy Fox, Chair of New Tupton Ivanhoe F.C. said, “The Summer Festival Football is the biggest event in the club’s calendar. We aim to provide the best experience to the teams taking part, and it is lovely to receive the positive feedback we have. The festival allows us to continue to invest in the facilities for the club.”
Michelle Briddon, Club Secretary, added: “The tournament could not happen without the many volunteers from the club and the local community who give up three weekends of their summer
to ensure the tournament runs smoothly. From supporting the teams taking part to setting up and taking down the pitches, and from helping with parking and road management to running stalls. They play a vital role in the success of the festival. We thank you all.”
“We are also grateful to Wilkins Vardy, our headline sponsor. Their kind financial support not only ensures the tournament happens but means that the money raised from the festival can be invested back into improving the footballing facilities for the community of Tupton.”
The headline sponsor for the tournament is Wilkins Vardy Estate Agents.
The New Tupton Ivanhoe F.C. Summer Festival of Football will return in 2027, and details will be available at newtuptonivanhoefc.co.uk/summerfestival-of-football early next year.
If you are interested in Little Ivanhoes, The Wildcat Centre or joining a team please message the clubs facebook page at: www.facebook.com/newtuptonivanhoefc/ visit: www.newtuptonivanhoefc.co.uk
COACH TOUR HOLIDAYS
TORQUAY
Livermead House Hotel
Thu 6th - Mon 10th Aug
5 Days - £599
SCOTLAND SECRET ISLANDS & WATERWAYS
Winnock Hotel
Mon 31st Aug - Fri 4th Sep
5 Days - £699
THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO
Salutation Hotel Perth Fri 7th - Sun 9th Aug
3 Days - £450
TO BOOK A HOLIDAY PHONE 01773 590 808, 01246 604 764 or 07483 357 958
MYSTERY WEEKEND
Mystery Hotel Sat 5th - Sun 6th Sep 2 Days - £140
POTTERS RESORT HOPTON ON SEA, NORFOLK ALL INCLUSIVE
TORQUAY
FORT WILLIAM
Alexandra Hotel
Sun 4th - Thu 8th Oct
5 Days - £695
SEAHOUSES
Bamburgh Castle Inn
Mon 5th - Fri 9th Oct
5 Days - £625
BABBACOMBE
Mon 7th - Fri 11th Sep 5 Days - £685 2nd
Riviera Hotel Mon 7th - Fri 11th Sep 5 Days - £455
Go online WWW.CLAIRSCOACHES.CO.UK BOOKING OFFICE: Parkvilla, 124 Market Street, Clay Cross, Derbyshire S45 9LY 2026 BROCHURES ARE NOW OUT
Babbacombe Hotel
Mon 5th - Fri 9th Oct
5 Days - £425
MOBILE BOOKING OFFICE LOCATIONS
3rd Tuesday of each month 9am - 12pm | Blackwell Community Centre
- 12pm | Bolsover
2nd Friday of each
9am - 1pm | Ripley Market Place
HELM - BY SARAH HALL
3rd Thursday of each month 9am - 1pm | Alfreton Severn Square Car Park (Outside Poundstretcher)
3rd Friday of each month 9am - 1pm | Sutton-in-Ashfield, Portland Square
Helm is a wind. A real wind – the only named wind in the UK. It has blasted the Eden Valley in Cumbria for thousands of years. It’s also the name of an extraordinary novel by Sarah Hall who as fans will know, has used that part of the country for several of her earlier books.
This time the wind is the main character in the book, a being with a huge ego and the subject of many myths and investigation - again both in real life and in the novel. So where are the people we expect in novels you might ask? – They have lived with and been affected by Helm - from prehistoric cave people to wizards, little kids, magic mushroom munchers through to today’s pub lunchers, addicted to their phones. And Sarah Hall uses their stories to tell the story of the wind – and in a bigger sense to give us a sense of what might be happening to our nature and climate.
It may sound strange but it’s a spectacular book. Sarah Hall is a brilliant short story writer and while this book is longer it uses all her abilities to tell taut, sometimes mischievous sometimes moving, and sometimes thrilling tales around the human characters and bring them all together into a mind-bending whole linked by Helm.
It’s a very different kind of book, it changes from humorous to threatening to bleak and to hopeful.
A whirlwind in fact.
Cross Parish Council are excited to announce this
JUSTIN GILBODY
This fantastic performer is returning to Clay Cross Social Centre on Saturday, 12th September 2026 with his ‘A KINDA MAGIC’ tribute to Freddie Mercury & Queen.
Following his previous sell-out performance, get your tickets early to avoid disappointment!
Tickets priced at just £8 each including hot food supper are ON SALE NOW from the Clay Cross Parish Council Office, Clay Cross Social Centre, Market Street, Clay Cross S45 9JE (payment in cash only please)
SATURDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 2026 DOORS/BAR OPEN FROM 7PM MUSIC FROM 8PM ★ FREDDIE ON STAGE 8.30PM Raffle in aid of Clay Cross Parish Council Chair’s Appeal Fund
A dogs Day out
It’s very hot at the time of going to print and our four legged chums often find it harder to cool down than we do, so we have to be extra careful when taking our dogs out for walks. Obviously if it’s too warm err on the side of caution and leave it for another day, but if you are heading out, even on a cooler day, don’t assume there will be somewhere for them to drink and always take plenty of water!
5½ MILE CIRCULAR WALK FROM DOE HILL COUNTRY PARK
A moderate walk for you and your dog. The route should take around 2-3 hours. Whilst a large part of the walk is trails and paths there are some fields to cross with uneven and potentially muddy sections, so a good pair of boots are advisable, especially if it has been wet. There are a few sections of road, so please take care and, as always, follow the countryside code.
Start: Doe Hill Country Park Car Park, Doe Hill Lane, between Tibshelf and Stonebroom, DE55 6JS
1. Take the path that leads directly from the car park (by the poop bag bin). Follow this path as it winds around until it joins with another path from the right, then take the next left, almost immediately, heading uphill. Follow this path again as it winds until it joins with another path from the right and again take the next left, almost immediately. Follow this path until it brings you to Alfreton Road.
2. Cross the road and take the wide track (Gloves Lane) after a metal barrier on the other side. Follow this track for approximately 100 meters before taking the second of two paths on your left (the Silverhill Trail).
3. Continue along the trail until you meet a sign on your right. Take the horse stile on your left towards the ‘Five Pits Trail’. Follow this path until you meet a crossroads, taking the first path on your right. (This route can be fairly muddy. If you are keen to avoid this, you can continue ahead here on the Five Pits Trail to take you to point 5.)
4. Follow this path until it joins Saw pit lane, bearing left. After another 200 meters take a signposted footpath on your left. Follow the path as it joins Wetton Lane and follow until you reach the main road (B6014).
5. Turn left here and cross the road at the crossing before joining the five pits trail directly ahead. Keep to the main path downhill until a crossing of a small path. Turn left on the small path, cross over a lane and pass through a width restrictor.
6. Follow the path, ignoring steps on the right. Continue onto a road (Monsall Crescent) and keep ahead. At a T-junction, turn left and follow the road as it bends round to the right. Ignore roads leading off and then, as the road
bends round to the right again, take a short road onto a wide track footpath off to the left, just before a play park.
7. Keep ahead to the end of the path where there are turns left and right. Take the turn on the left to immediately pass through a gap in the hedge on your left. Turn right to walk alongside the field with the hedge on your right. At the bottom corner of the field pass through a kissing gate and turn left to walk alongside the field to cross a stile in the corner of the field, onto Doe Hill Lane.
8. Turn right here and follow Doe Hill Lane back to Doe Hill Country Park. Where appropriate cross the road to make use of the footpaths available.
This walk is for illustrative purposes only. Voice Magazines Ltd takes no responsibility for anyone who chooses to follow this route and encourages all walkers to obey all byelaws and signs and to respect the area they are walking in, ensuring they pick up all dog mess and obey the countryside code at all times.
After
Waddesdon Manor
We ran the most fabulous competition in May with amazing support from local companies and bumper entries from local residents. We wanted to share the happy winners to show that we didn’t just run off with the gifts ourselves (although we wanted to!!), and also to remind you all… “you’ve got to be in it to win it!! Anna
Anna said “Excellent
Kedleston Hall
Calke Abbey
Cliveden
Mr Straw House
Sudbury Hall
Stoneywell
Stourhead
Hardwick Hall
Tyntesfield
Bodiam Castle
Clumber Park
Anna with Dave (tour guide) on the White Peak Distillery tour.
Slimming World Recipe Strawberry Mousse
Method:
1. Add half the strawberries and all the sweetener to your food processor, and whizz until smooth. Strain through a sieve into a pan and sprinkle over the jelly crystals. Put the pan over a very low heat and stir gently, until the crystals have completely dissolved. Take off the heat and leave to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, stir the vanilla extract and yogurt through the strawberry mixture until combined.
2. In a clean glass bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric hand
For more information visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk
These melt-in-themouth pots will go down a treat on a summer’s day.
whisk until they form stiff peaks. Stir 1 tbsp of the whites into the strawberry mixture to loosen it, then gently fold in the rest one third at a time, being careful not to knock out too much air.
3. Divide the mixture equally between 4 large dessert glasses or ramekins. Chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight if you can.
4. When you’re ready to serve, finely dice the rest of the strawberries, add to the mousses, and scatter over the basil leaves.
Ingredients: OUTSIDE CATERING AVAILABLE
Serves: 4 Swips: 1 per serving
•
• 1 level tbsp sweetener granules
• ½ x 11.5g sachet strawberry sugar-free jelly crystals
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 x 115g pots Müllerlight Greek Style Strawberry yogurt
• 2 medium egg whites*
• Fresh basil leaves, to decorate
*When eating raw or partially cooked eggs or foods containing them, pregnant women, the elderly, babies and toddlers are advised to eat eggs showing the British Lion stamp or that are produced under the Laid in Britain scheme.
Ready in: 30 minutes plus 4 hours chilling
Guess the words and Fill in the crossword !
Pitcherwits® are crossword puzzles where some of the clues are in pictures.
Sound easy? It’s not called “Pit-your-wits” for nothing! The mixture of cryptic and picture clues, combined with Professor Rebus’ unique sense of humour, will keep you entertained for hours.
Across
9 Get a kick out of dangerous tactics (4)
10 Shrub wetland that could be Jimmy or Alan (4)
11 Run out of origanum? Embarrassing, me ol’ Spanish pal! (5)
12 Those people, as yet back in hospital (4)
14 Hunger (or conscience) feature of lifespan, generally (4)
Down
3 Legionnaires’ song? (3)
4 Rope formation sounds negative (3)
6 The mat that’s laid out for Empress Maude (7)
7 Nonsense article about change (3)
13 Early first listening gear (3)
16 Removal of eggs from Rome (3)
17 How about the one that was a doctor several times? (3)
1 An ace chord composed, but just not a bishop (10)
5 Mrs to stare rudely at chair sides (8)
15 Crown, all battered and left at the bottom of the land (8)
18 No room for compromise, as botulism is removed (10) Down
Act out aim of working like a robot (9)
Thermal beam from a hearty sort (4,3)
Tactics needing big biceps? (9)
Put ‘Cole’ into two-line verse (7)
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UNBANDED SCAFFOLD BOARDS
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GARDENERS CALENDAR
So, the British weather has done its usual crazy spring dance, and our gardens are still here and mostly looking blooming great.
As well as admiring our handiwork with a glass of something long and cool – or short and warm – there’s a few things to be keeping on top of this month, to keep it looking good and producing the goods.
Cucumbers and courgettes need to be picked as soon as they’re ready to keep them productive. A single courgette plant can give three courgettes a week and they very quickly turn from crisp and crunchy to huge marrows which are nice for a show bench but difficult to turn into an interesting ingredient for a meal. Likewise, cucumbers need to be harvested at their peak, so they’re constantly encouraged to produce more fruit and retain their sweetness. Apples and pears are starting to show their fruit clusters strongly now so it’s the best time to thin them out to give larger fruit in autumn.
And you also need to take this year’s growth back after mock orange has flowered so it will produce next year’s flower show. This works with smaller plants as well of course. Bedding plants are ideal for deadheading – usually you can just pinch flowers off behind the flower head when they have gone over. With roses you can take the flower off behind the head or take clusters back to just above the first leaf. Longer stemmed plants such as pelargoniums can be broken away from the plant where the stem attaches to the stem. Same goes for sweet peas. The idea is to stop them going to seed because for the plant that is when they’ve done their job – producing seed for the next generation. And if they no longer need to produce seed, they no longer need to produce flowers.
Worth considering though that you might want that seed production to happen – with honesty or nigella for instance, or cotoneaster and big hip producing roses. They’ll all give you some winter interest from the seed head. And of course the birds will be grateful if you leave sunflower and rudbeckia heads intact – they’re a great source of food.
Don’t worry if we get a prolonged dry spell (you never know!!) and your lawn goes brown. It will recover very quickly after rain and our plants need the water more.
BIRD’S-FOOT TREFOIL
Increasingly across the Peak District and surrounding areas, individual gardeners and others such as local authorities, have taken up the challenge of May’ to benefit threatened pollinating insects alongside the wildflowers they depend on. Since the 1940s, the Peak itself lost over 97% of its one-time, species-rich old meadows; a clearly catastrophic decline. However, for several years now, the wildflower conservation body, ‘Plantlife’, has been running the ‘No Mow May’ campaign to encourage wildflower- and pollinatorfriendly meadow management. Alongside responsible organisations such as the National Park Authority, the Highways Agency, and the region’s local authorities, this initiative encourages gardeners and others to get involved and to do their bit for nature. Essentially this approach involves either or both, habitat creation and suitable meadow management. The latter including periods without mowing, but with a cut once or twice at the correct time, and preferably, also the removal of cut ‘hay’. This taking off of the grass cuttings or hay is necessary to reduce levels of nutrients in the soil which otherwise accumulate and lead to coarse grasses, tall herbs, and reduced biodiversity.
‘No Mow May’ has proved increasingly successful and links into other campaigns to protect and promote flower-rich grasslands and meadows. These generally look better in the countryside than do the intensively managed swards, and benefit tourism and recreational use. However, as one of my readers suggested, this campaign should be followed up by ‘Let them Bloom in June’, and then of course, the July hay-cut. If this isn’t
managed as vital resources and an important part of the farming countryside. The other important step which is often hard to deliver today unless the site is in agricultural management, is that the cut meadow should also be grazed by farming livestock. This triggers what we call ‘micro-disturbance’ i.e., the breaking up of the grass sward to allow flowers to seed and germinate and often helped by animal dunging and associated transportation of seeds, ready fertilized, from other meadows recently grazed.
In terms of pollinators benefitting from wildflowers and meadows, the gardener can help enormously with native, traditional meadows, with annual ‘arable cornfield’ flowers, but also with old-fashioned cottage garden, herbaceous plants, a wildflower ‘lawn’ perhaps, and exotic species too. This is not just a case of growing native wildflowers but is much more inclusive and fun too. Of course, where hay-cutting or mowing are involved, this can be locally devastating for some insect populations, even if essential for longer-term conservation. With this in mind, it is important to leave corners and edges of habitats intact and undisturbed as sanctuary areas in our all-too-often tidy spaces and places. Try to remember that nature does like an untidy world! Butterflies, moths, bumblebees, honeybees, and hoverflies are just a few of the creatures that will benefit, along of course, with people.
Professor Ian D. Rotherham, researcher, writer, broadcaster on wildlife and environmental issues is contactable on ianonthewildside@ukeconet.org. Follow his website www.ukeconet.org, blog www.ianswalkonthewildside.wordpress.com/ @IanThewildside Bluesky @ianthewildside.bsky.social
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