The Natural History of Keyworth Meadows

March 2010

You may have noticed that Meadows is now plural and I shall be incorporating notes on them both. You will now be wondering where the new one is (and some may still not have found the old one – follow the finger posts along Lings Lane). Well, the new one is near the burial ground by the bends on Wysall Lane and it is to become a wildflower meadow (unlike the existing nature reserve which is a relict pasture). The land was bought, with a great deal of foresight, a few years ago, but will not come in to use as a burial ground for some time and the council, after considering various options, decided that a community wild-flower meadow was the favourite.

As I write, the adjacent car park is under construction and this will be followed by cultivation and seeding of the 1hectare (2.5 acre) plot, with great views westwards across the Wolds and Bunny Moor. The field has very well-preserved ridge and furrow and this historic aspect will be maintained and as the meadow matures, it will be colonised by threatened wildlife such as blue butterflies, making it a wonderful educational site for schools and families. The Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has given invaluable advice and financial assistance in establishing this new amenity, which it is hoped will be reaching its full potential within a couple of years. It will be fascinating to document the wildlife as it re-establishes on this habitat which was once so widespread in the English countryside but has now all but disappeared locally.

Neil Pinder