Wildflowers have thrived in Eastbourne during lockdown - here’s why

Many grass areas had to be left uncut during the coronavirus pandemic – and the council says this has accelerated its review of its mowing programme for parks, verges and churchyards and its plans to phase in more wildflower growth.

Councillor Jonathan Dow, cabinet member for climate change, said, “I am delighted we are already seeing more insects, biodiversity and beautiful wildflowers thanks to our new approach to grounds maintenance.

“Seeds and bulbs can remain alive in the soil for many years, waiting for the right conditions to allow them grow. By cutting grass less frequently, we are creating those conditions and in a short time we are seeing some great results.”

Famous author dies in Eastbourne

This change to the cutting regime mirrors the collaboration between the council and St Mary’s, Eastbourne’s 12th century parish church in Church St, where a wealth of pyramidal orchids have flowered this month.

This has been supported by £1,000 funding from ward councillors in Old Town and Upperton.

The successful scheme at St Mary’s will also see the reintroduction of some wildflower species that once flourished there and measures to increase the already-established breeding colony of swifts, which migrate there during the summer.

It is hoped there will be a community event next year to celebrate the rich and diverse nature and heritage of the churchyard so everyone can come together to have fun and learn more.

Alongside this, the council says its new pesticide and pollinator strategy is also giving the insect and wildlife population a much better chance to thrive.

This was brought in in September 2019 and includes the reduction of pesticides in an effort to protect and encourage bees and other pollinators.

Eastbourne Wyntercon will still go ahead, so organisers

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.