Bee Route Expands, orchids discovered

The presence in our MCC branch of our own expert in wildflower meadow management, Howard Yardy, looks likely to lead to a huge expansion in our Bee Route schemes. You will recall that we are implementing a Bee Route in our RWB branch along the canal line from Templars Firs to Studley Grange, we now think we can do much more for our pollinators at minimal extra cost.

Howard has conducted surveys at Naish Hill in MCC and at Templars Firs in RWB. In both locations he has identified meadows on our land just waiting to be regenerated by a new mowing regime that reduces the fertility of the soil, depresses the growth of grass and promotes the growth of wildflowers. His research has identified several rare orchids on our land, including the very special Bee Orchid.

We will keep you briefed on this exciting development and its rollout to our other branches in the coming months.