This area of public open space, a rectangle of roughly 0.6 hectares, is located next to Main Street. It has been regularly mown for many years but the intention is to now establish a meadow strip of approximately 3-4m width around the periphery to improve biodiversity by managing it as a wildflower meadow so it can support a much greater variety of wildlife. A row of mature trees, mainly Common Lime, are growing along the Main Street boundary and a couple of smaller trees (Norway Maple and Whitebeam) have been planted in the grassy areas. The site has been locally referred to as ‘the cow field’, which may refer back to its agricultural use before it was established as public open space.

The verge has been surveyed by NatureSpot but different species come and go throughout the year. A much better understanding of the wildlife found on this site requires local residents to add records of what they have seen. Please take a photo if possible and include it with your record, using NatureSpot's Submit Records online form. Your record and any photos will then appear on this page!

A total of 33 flora species were recorded during the 2024 survey, 7 of which are woody (mainly the tree species). Despite the history of close and regular mowing, a number of ‘meadow’ species were evident, including Red Clover, Autumn Hawkbit, Common Mouse-ear and Yarrow (the first two being Local Wildlife Site indicator species). Of particular interest was the discovery of the grass, Crested Dog’s-tail, which is usually only found on long-established meadow grassland.

No mowing will take place between April and August to allow the grasses and wildflowers to grow and bloom, providing food and cover to a wide variety of insects and other creatures. The meadow grassland that grows will then be cut in September.

Note: the verge boundaries shown on the map are indicative, please refer to the signed/staked areas area on the ground for the exact location.