We were delighted to be featured in the Western Telegraph on 12th July 2021
Shoots of success at Priory Saltings in Magnificent Meadow restoration project
MEMBERS of Soroptimists International along with film-maker Dewi Deisel Evans celebrated National Meadows Day with a wildflower hunt at the newly restored Priory Saltings.Members from Soroptimists International Haverfordwest and District branch attended along with Dewi Deisel Evans, who captured the event and interviewed participants for a film commissioned by Plantlife Cymru that documents the ‘Magnificent Meadows’ project taking place.
Magnificent Meadows is a partnership primarily funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund to help save wildlife meadows, with one of the aims of the organisation being to establish a community meadow on the Priory Saltings.
A self-led trail from Quay Street to the Saltings promoted National Meadows Day and gave members of the public the opportunity to explore this reach of the river through the Priory Ruins and along the river path and boardwalk. Using apps and Plantlife’s wildflower hunt spotter sheets, the returning meadow-makers were able to identify a range of wildflowers.
Last November, the Soroptimists and schoolchildren from St Mark’s VA Primary School , Merlin’s Bridge, sowed the meadow, with expert help from Plantlife officers – who run the scheme – and volunteers from Haverfordwest Town Council.Dewi first visited the Saltings back in March when there was little to see but now the signs are encouraging, with a profusion of yellow rattle flowering and setting seed in the meadow.After the wildflower hunt the next phase of plans in the Magnificent Meadows project include mowing and gathering seed rich hay between late August and September, to encourage a traditional hay meadow to establish that is rich in flowering perennial plants.Deputy mayor of Haverfordwest, Cllr Chris Evans told the Western Telegraph: “Haverfordwest Town Council manage the Priory Saltings Nature Reserve for the benefit and enjoyment of local people and with the aim to increase biodiversity on a site very close to the town centre.”