A PASSIONATE appeal to preserve a rare wildflower meadow near Raglan - described as a "real treasure" - has reached more than £10,000.
The Monmouthshire Meadows Group is hoping to raise the £96,000 needed to buy Kingcoed Meadows - a 12 acre site of flower-rich grassland to ensure the unique habitat is not lost to general farming.
The fields have been sympathetically managed for 12 years by the current owners, who have delayed the sale to allow the charity to raise the funds to acquire the meadows. Among the plants that have colonised and spread are Spotted Orchids, Southern Marsh Orchids, Knapweed, Common Cat’s Ear, Rough Hawkbit, Tufted Vetch and Bird’s-foot Trefoil.
The abundance of wildflowers attract many bees, butterflies and other insects as well as birds and small mammals.
The charity was founded in 2003 and works to promote the conservation, protection and improvement of hay meadows, grasslands and unimproved pastures in the Wye Valley and Monmouthshire.
Chairwoman, Stephanie Tyler said: "This is a rare and exciting opportunity to ensure the future of a very special wildlife site for the benefit of the county.”
Among the planned uses for the site include holding public open days, to demonstrate how to restore a hay meadow and for educational use.
The charity has the backing of TV presenters Kate Humble and Iolo Williams who believe it is vital to protect the meadows that remain in Wales.
“Kate Humble, the television presenter who runs the farm Humble by Nature at Penallt, near Monmouth, is supporting the appeal," added Ms Tyler.
“The Kingcoed Meadows are a real Monmouthshire treasure. Well-managed meadows are hugely important for countless species, for insects like butterflies, birds, small mammals and, of course, for some of Britain’s most beautiful wild flowers.
“But wildflower meadows have become increasingly rare and the work of the Monmouthshire Meadows Group to preserve these wonderful assets to our countryside and give people access to them is crucial. Please do all you can to help the group buy this land and keep it as the very special place it is for the people and wildlife of Monmouthshire.”
To find out more about the appeal or to become a member visit www.monmouthshiremeadows.org.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here