New locations added to Battle wildflower project

Battle Town Council’s plans to create a series of roadside wildflower meadow sites will not only look spectacular, but also assist in the conservation of the humble and ecologically essential bumblebee.

Since announcing the project earlier this year, the council has been inundated with suggested locations for wildflower meadows.

The flagship site for the innovative project will be the roundabout at the top of the High Street, home to Battle’s war memorial.

The site will be planted in wildflower turf to reflect the appearance of meadows in 1066.

Keith Datchler OBE, an expert on wildflower meadows, will assist the council, helping to identify species and keeping residents informed of progress.

The following locations have now been added to the project:

* Virgins Lane, east and west junctions

* North Trade Road, opposite Claverham School

* Caldbec Hill and Whatlington Road

* Oakhurst Road

* Wattles Wish

* Netherfield Road

* Hastings Road, from Battle to Telham

All locations will be subject to a special ‘mowing regime’ by Sussex Highways which will allow the meadows to flourish.

Battle mayor David Furness is now calling for volunteers to monitor these sites once planted and conduct surveys of wild flowers.

This data will be collected and, where necessary, fresh local wildflowers will be introduced.

Anyone wishing to volunteer should contact town clerk Carol Harris, at the Almonry on 01424 772210.

All meadows will be clearly identified with a specially designed logo, with a competition launched at Battle and Langton School for pupils to submit their designs.

And Cllr Furness wants more people to get involved.

He said: “If you have a patch of lawn in an open, sunny site in Battle, you could easily transform it into a wildflower meadow.

“Aside from providing cover and food for wildlife, it requires far less maintenance than a traditional lawn and can be planted with a wide range of seeds to provide interest from spring to the end of summer.”

Work has already started at the roundabout site with other sites to follow suit shortly.