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28 August 2024
Enhancing Wiltshire’s Biodiversity: Insights from idverde Biodiversity Manager Tom Bellamy
As part of a proposed rewilding and wildflower scheme in Wiltshire, various areas chosen by towns and parish councils throughout the county were visited last week. This initiative, known as “Wild about Wiltshire,” aims to improve biodiversity and encourage bees and other pollinators to thrive by adopting a new approach to grass cutting and promoting wildflower growth.
To provide expert advice and support for this challenge, Paul Ashman, the Community Engagement Officer at idverde, arranged for Tom Bellamy, the Biodiversity Manager of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, to visit Wiltshire. Tom works as part of a business partnership between the RSPB and idverde, focusing on delivering key objectives from the Park’s Biodiversity Action Plan.
Tom’s visit to Wiltshire, scheduled from the 21st to the 23rd of August, involved assessing the existing biodiversity of the selected areas. He recorded the present flora and fauna and will provide suggestions on how to enhance the biodiversity of these wildflower areas. His report will outline strategies for creating and maintaining these areas over the next five years, including recommendations on native species to plant and methods for cultivating and preparing the land.
On Wednesday, Tom Bellamy visited two sites in Warminster, accompanied by Paul Ashman. They explored Fore Street and Portway Lane North and South, evaluating the current state of biodiversity and identifying opportunities for improvement.
The following day, Thursday, 22nd August, Paul and Tom were joined by Claire Thew, idverde’s Senior Marketing and Communications Executive, and Fiona Waind from Wiltshire Council. Together, they visited Fieldways in Hilperton, Falcon Way/Hurricane Way in Melksham, and Harvard Close in Melksham. Tom walked the areas, took photos and made notes, ready for his reports and proposals for the council. At Harvard Close, Cllr Nick Holder joined the meeting to meet Tom and shared his thoughts and ideas for the area.
idverde’s Community Engagement Manager for Wiltshire Council, Paul Ashman, commented: “We were pleased to be able to share our resources with Wiltshire Council by arranging a visit by Tom Bellamy, to visit Wiltshire and have a look at our existing wildflower areas, with a brief to help increase their biodiversity, we look forward to his advice/suggestion which will be implemented this Autumn”.
Tom said “It has been great spending time on the Wiltshire contract and seeing some of the greenspaces managed by idverde. It has been fantastic to expand the reach of the business partnership to outside QEOP, and I look forward to seeing how the wildflower areas respond to the changes in management”.
On the third and final day of the visit Paul and Tom visited College Fields in Marlborough.
Claire Thew said “It was a fascinating day with Tom. It was clear to see how knowledgeable and passionate about nature Tom is, and we all learnt so much. I wait with interest to see how these areas change over the coming years”.
This collaborative effort marks a significant step towards enhancing Wiltshire’s natural environment, ensuring that both flora and fauna can flourish in the years to come. The “Wild about Wiltshire” scheme is set to make a lasting impact on the county’s biodiversity, benefiting both nature and the community.
