THE creation of an important new wildlife habitat will be the subject of a free talk later this month at the Rachel Fowler Centre.
The Melksham, Chippenham & Calne branch of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust regularly organises presentations by its volunteers and this next session is due to be hosted by wildlife officer Howard Yardy and will focus on the creation of a new woodland and wildflower meadow at Naish Hill near Lacock.
The illustrated talk is due to take place on Tuesday 21st May from 7.45pm, followed by a break for refreshments and then the regular branch meeting from 8.30pm.
The public is welcome to listen to the presentation, leave during the break, or stay for the whole evening.
Howard joined the charity after learning the Wilts & Berks Canal once passed near the bottom of his garden on Semington Road. He said, “I’ve always been fascinated by the history of canals and love working outside and keeping fit, so I was keen to get involved with the local restoration campaign.
“I started off with hedge laying and then the development of a pollinator-friendly ‘bee route’, before taking on the role of branch wildlife officer.
“I’ve made lots of new friends who share my passion for nature, and I hope my talk will encourage even more people to join us.”
Much of Howard’s time is spent on the stretch of canal in the open countryside north of Lacock, which includes a towpath, wharf and bridge.
Volunteers have been planting trees and hedgerows, sowing wildflower seeds, installing birdboxes and carrying out coppicing, supported by corporate work parties from local companies including Good Energy and SLR Consulting.
Howard added, “Our ultimate aim is to create a woodland pasture providing a wide range of habitats for all sorts of creatures, which will eventually form part of a thriving wildlife corridor alongside a fully restored canal.”
For further information on the talk or how to join the work parties, email
ho**********@wb**.uk
The aim of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust is to restore the waterway from the Kennet & Avon Canal near Melksham to the Thames & Severn Canal near Cricklade and the River Thames near Abingdon, connecting Chippenham, Calne, Royal Wootton Bassett and Swindon.
Several sections have already been restored.
Visit www.wbct.org.uk