Natural beauty on our doorstep

As spring turns to summer, the full glory of natural Kent is bursting into life.

Photographer Simon Pettman has been out documenting this eye-catching change of seasons along the banks of the River Stour in Canterbury and beyond.

The 52-year-old was involved in the fight to thwart development on the Kingsmead Field, which sits next to the river and is home to a bed of cornfield flowers planted last year by supporters of the campaign.

“Wildflower meadows provide much-needed pollen and nectar to pollinators, such as hoverflies, bees and a wide range of butterflies,” Mr Pettman said,

“They also abound in bugs and beetles which are the foundation of a healthy ecosystem, offering a wealth of food to birds such as starlings and sparrows.

“On the river, the water crowfoot provides a habitat for many invertebrates and a valuable food plant for the endangered water vole. So take the time to seek out some of our local wildflower spectacles and enjoy them in their intense and fleeting splendour.”

Mr Pettman also pointed his lens at the wildlife westwards along the Stour at the Hambrook Marshes which extend out of Toddler’s Cove towards Chartham.

He added: “If you take a look at the River Stour, you will find that many stretches are carpeted with the pretty white and yellow flowers of the water crowfoot, which is an iconic plant in Kent’s chalk streams.

“And if you take a stroll along the Great Stour Way towards Chartham and into Hambrook Marshes you will find them awash with a sea of buttercups dazzling in the sunshine or shivering in the breeze.”