How ‘untidy’ can be positive

The Observer’s support for saving our ecosystems could also incorporate a call to save our hedges and verges, both under threat from over development.

This year, partly for financial reasons, the verges in the care of WSCC have been cut less frequently and the resulting growth of wild plants has been good to see, and very useful for pollinators.

Indeed, WSCC has a Community Road Verge scheme, where certain verges will only be cut in the autumn, giving flowers time to set seed.

Our verge in Whyke

Road has produced several pyramidal orchids, which would have been mown down under the former cutting regime.

There’s also an impressive number of species.

I’ve found that most people understand the reasons for leaving the verges uncut for longer periods , when it’s explained to them.

However, there are others, and even some councillors, who do not seem to realise the growing threats to the natural environment and see only something that looks ‘untidy’.

As in our own gardens, we have to get used to things looking a bit different, leaving what space we can for nature, instead of tidying away every stray plant that dares to grow in an unplanned way.

These plants provide valuable resources for pollinators and other insects, which in turn support birds and small mammals.

The wildlife in our streets and gardens can contribute to the biodiversity which we are losing everywhere, including farmland.

Instead of looking at plants growing where they will as a nuisance, how about finding out their names, what they’re useful for, and how they might be supporting a range of wildlife.

STEPHANIE CARN Whyke Road Chichester www.rotarypriory.org