Flora locale – Summer Meeting 29th June
The Flora locale Summer Meeting is kindly being hosted by Charles Flower at his farm in Wiltshire.
Carvers Hill Farm, Shalbourne, Wiltshire was aquired by Charles Flower in 1980 when our remaining countryside features were being destroyed in the name of increased food production. His aim was to demonstrate practical methods of countryside management in the context of everyday farming practices. The farm is situated on the edge of Shalbourne village at the foot of a beautiful stretch of downland.
Charles and his team have successfully managed this mixed farm, with corn crops, sheep, wild flower meadows and wild flower seed commercial crops, with 5000 new trees, 2 miles of restored hedgerows and several ponds to create habitats to support native wildlife and flora.
Over 100 species of native wild flowers are growing in the meadows and ponds; small heath butterflies and adonis blue butterflies have been increasingly sighted. Farmland birds such as skylark, yellow hammer, linnet and song thrush now breed; in 2011 corn bunting and quail were first recorded
The Day will include a talk by Peter Thompson, biodiversity adviser, who is involved in the Marlborough Downs NIA; the only farmer-led pilot. Hear about rare arable plants and establishing perennial wildflowers.
Charles Flower will talk about his careful habitat management of the Farm. His book “Where have all the flowers gone” a guide to restoring wild flowers in the countryside and garden will be available to purchase.
This is a great opportunity to network and to tour a successful farm not open to the public.
There is a small booking fee of £10 to contribute to the cost of lunch and refreshments on the Day. Please visit the Flora Locale website where you can book from the homepage