Campaign sees Hungerford wild orchids back in bloom

Last year, the destruction of rare wild orchids along the verge between Hungerford and Inkpen triggered a campaign by local conservationists.
The alert was raised 12 months ago by Newbury Weekly News Hungerford edition reader Thomas Stanley who said: “The area has been flagged up to West Berkshire Council as being a verge worth conservation status. I think someone should be called to account for removing our wild flower heritage.”
The vice president of international environmental charity Earthwatch backed the campaign. Nigel Winser said: “Keeping the verges intact for as long as possible is good for biodiversity.”
Hungerford Arcade stallholder Rita Kibble helped to collect responses from the public, many of which were published in the NWN.
Then, West Berkshire Council’s executive member for the environment, Hilary Cole (Con, Chieveley), took up the matter of the verge with council officers.
Soon afterwards the council announced a trial ‘cut and clear’ of some highway verges in the district to benefit wildflowers which also encourage local bee populations, a species which is currently under threat.
Mrs Cole said at the time: “We’re actively looking at which verges are suitable for a reduced cutting regime, but road safety, for motorists, cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians, has to be the paramount concern.”
This year the verge (pictured) is flourishing, with orchids abounding.
Ms Kibble said: “The NWN’s stories and the wild flower campaign has worked wonders, particuarly as Coldharbour. Hats off to everyone concerned.”
Newbury co-ordinator for Friends of the Earth, Adrian Foster-Fletcher, said: “Bee populations are under threat, and these insects are desperately needed to pollinate our crops.
“We welcome the initiatives that West Berkshire Council are taking to protect them. We would urge other landowners to do all they can to protect their wild flowers.”