Bee-Route Mowing at Royal Wootton Bassett

On Tuesday 30th July, the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust’s Bee-Route tractor and flail mower came to Royal Wootton Bassett to cut the hay on the wildflower meadows at Templar’s Firs.

Driven by WBCT Wildlife Officer Howard Yardy, it travelled at its top speed of 14mph for 11 miles along the roads from the village of Bremhill, near Calne, arriving at 8.00am.

The wildflowers and grasses had grown tall after all the rain, but by now most were starting to go to seed. What remained still attracted plenty of bees and butterflies.

Howard and his colleague Martin Palmer did a first cut, then completed a closer cut and gathered the cuttings.  All the cuttings were removed in order to lower the fertility of the meadows ready for more wild-flowers in 2025.  Howard found quite a variety of meadow grasses where, only 18 months ago, the scrub-land was a mass of brambles.

When they had finished, they took the tractor to nearby Chaddington to cut the paddock where the grasses and wildflowers had grown even taller than at Templar’s Firs. 

Earlier in the year, 500 hedge saplings had been planted at the paddock - most were doing well.  After the meadow was cut, the tractor deposited piles of cuttings to form a mulch for hedge plants.  Wednesday's work party will tend to the hedge plants and the mulching.  Our 'outdoor gym' will only work until lunchtime because of the really hot weather.  If you want to join us, please contact our work party organiser at neil.lazenby@wbct.org.uk

The tractor will return in September to help control the reeds that have taken over the towpath at Studley Grange.

By branch chair Steve Bacon