"Mill Hill, near Shoreham... roadside bank had been mown by a grass cutting machine.
About 200... wild bee orchids had been growing on the bank, which was marked out less than 12 months ago as a Notable Road Verge, which was supposed to be protected for its special wildlife interest. Mill Hill resident Stanley Allen was horrified: "We had been campaigning for about five years to have this grassy bank properly designated. "We have been watching the bee orchids develop and more seemed to come up each year. "In May 2006, there was a ceremony to mark the fact that this has been declared a protected verge and a red-and-white sign was put up explaining the importance of this area. "The orchids were due to flower in about three weeks' time but the whole bank has been absolutely devastated. "It hasn't just been mowed - it has been shaved right down to the ground... I just can't believe it has happened and I don't know whether the orchids will recover from this." URL : http://www.westsussextoday.co.uk/ws/Mown-Down-Rare-orchid39s-fate.4077398.jp ********************** Regards, VB _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
