IT MAY only be a small area, but the planned creation of a wildflower meadow in a residential part of Skipton has to be welcomed.

Skipton Town Council is working with the Clapham based charity, the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) on the project, which will see a small area at Middletown Recreation Ground made into a wildflower habitat.

The aim is not only to benefit bees, butterflies, hoverflies, beetles, moths and other insects, but also to create a beautiful area of flowers for residents to enjoy.

The project is part of Bee Together, a National Lottery funded programme which aims to work with communities to create habitats that could help reverse the decline of wild pollinators.

Catherine Mercer, the Bee Together officer at YDMT, said such schemes were vital if the decline in pollinators was to be reversed.

“According to the 2016 State of Nature report, 60 per cent of bees and other pollinators are in decline. They face a wide range of threats, from toxic pesticides to climate change, however one of the most significant reasons for their decline is the loss of wildflower-rich habitats,” she said.

“Declining pollinator populations are bad news for wildlife and people, with a third of the food we eat dependent on pollinating insects. If bees are in trouble, so are we.

“This new meadow will not only provide an important habitat for pollinators but bring colour and interest to the area too.”

Ms Mercer added: “It also marks the beginning of the development of a town-wide pollinator action plan being drawn up between ourselves, Buglife and the council that will help manage green spaces for the benefit of pollinators. We hope to see Skipton leading the way in protecting and celebrating our native bees and other pollinators.”

Joel Henderson, estates manager at Skipton Town Council, added: “We’ve lost more than 95 per cent of the UK’s wildflower meadows, making projects like this one really important. The joy of being immersed in a meadow, surrounded by the buzz of bees is a pleasure that is alien to many of our younger generation so we’re really looking forward to bringing this experience to the people of Skipton, while also tackling biodiversity loss.”

Over the summer, the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust has been working hard with landowners and farmers to restore vital wildflower meadows.

So far, this year, it has helped to revitalise a total of 15.28 hectares - or almost 38 acres, the equivalent of 16 football pitches, of wildflower meadow.

And, since 2006, more than 730 hectares of degraded meadows across the Yorkshire Dales and Forest of Bowland have been restored, helping to bring the precious habitat back from the brink.

Wildflower meadows help increase biodiversity as well as provide an important forage source for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, hoverflies, beetles, moths and other insects.

Christa Nelson, hay time officer at the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, said: “It has been a very enjoyable year working alongside farmers, landowners, Cumbria Wildlife Trust and Natural England, and we are really pleased with progress.

“We have restored the equivalent of 16 football pitches of wildflower meadow with particular focus on four schemes.”

She added: “We have used a variety of methods including harvesting green hay, over seeding and adding seed by hand. This work has been completed by the landowners as well as various groups and volunteers. It’s been a real team effort.”

The charity has been working on a number of schemes, including one at Hill Top Farm in Malham, Shawcote Farm in Askrigg and at Appersett.

Christa added: “In the last 70 years we’ve seen a staggering 97 per cent of wildflower meadows lost, making them one of the UK’s most threatened habitats and putting hundreds of species of native wildflowers and plants, bees, birds and other wildlife at risk.

“Projects like these make a difference for pollinators as well as being a vital winter fodder source for landowners.”

People can support the charity’s wildflower meadow restoration project by giving a ‘living bouquet’ instead of a bunch of cut flowers. The gift includes a packet of wildflower seeds and information pack, or by donating £10 per month.

To find out more, visit: ydmt.org/wildflower-gifts