Published: April 24, 2008
Schoolchildren join wildflower planting at Highbridge's Apex Park

Green-fingered youngsters from across Burnham-On-Sea took part in a special wildflower planting session at Highbridge's Apex Park on Wednesday (April 23rd).

The Friends of Apex Park Improvements Group and Sedgemoor District Council has organised a series of planting sessions throughout this week to help rejuvenate the park's existing wild meadow.

Thousands of wildflower plugs will be planted to help establish a variety of wildflowers within the meadow.

The activities come after the Big Lottery Fund's Breathing Places scheme awarded the Friends of Apex Park Improvements Group a huge £9,000 last year towards restoring the wild flower meadow at Apex Park.

On Wednesday, youngsters taking part included 32 children from Beechfield School (pictured here) and fifteen children from King Alfred After School Science Club.

On Thursday, 60 children from St John's School will take part and on Saturday a group of 15 Highbridge Guides will be helping the planting work.

"Community volunteers involved in the project have the opportunity to learn more about wild flower meadows and volunteer for seed-sowing and planting projects," said council spokeswoman Claire Faun.

"The project involves creative conservation involving the use of native wildflowers. On completion, the meadow will have increased biodiversity of wildlife and flora value."

Species of wildflowers being planted include angelica, meadowsweet, ox-eye daisy, cow parsley, tufted vetch, hemp agrimony, fleabane, marsh thistle and pendulous sedge.

A similar planting session was held at the park last autumn, as reported here.