PETERSFIELD environmentalists say reducing mowing to help pollinators and insects is just the first step in an ongoing campaign – and has appealed for gardens to be less ‘manicured.’

Working with Petersfield Climate Action Network (PeCAN), East Hampshire District Council relaxed its mowing operations as part of the No Mow May campaign.

Melanie Oxley of North Road heads up PeCAN’s Valuable Verges campaign and said: “The need to help nature cannot be over-stated.

“Every little bit we do makes a difference and we can help by nurturing a verge or keeping our gardens less manicured.

“In 2018 it became clear wildlife we take for granted, such as birds and bats, will struggle to find food after the crash in insect populations, and that crops and other beneficial plants would lose their natural pollinators.”

As a result of the partnership, the council agreed verges and open spaces on seven roads in Petersfield could be left to grow through May.

Petersfield Town Council also adopted a relaxed method of mowing at public open spaces such as Love Lane Playing Fields and Woods Meadow play park, where wider margins and longer clumps have been left untouched.

Parish councils like Buriton joined the project, as have housing estates like Ramshill in Petersfield.

And Hampshire County Council let many of its verges grow, such as at Tor Way in Petersfield and the A3 access roundabouts (pictured above).

n See next week’s Post for a ‘No Mow May’ photo feature.