During 2020 we asked the Council to consider designating the ground beside the Public Footpath that runs between the Thames Path and Church Manorway as a Mini Nature Reserve.
As is the way with these things we heard nothing (no surprise) and withdrew the request.
However we have been prompted to contact the Council to reinstate the request. Probably a waste of time again but...
It was there that we found Allium trifoliate (Hirsute Garlic) during 2016: it has recently been confirmed as a First Record for Vice County 16 (West Kent). Kent Botany 2020 notes: 'the first recognised record for West Kent appears to have been by MR near Erith, TQ5079, beside the Footpath from Church Manorway to the Thames Path, found on 24 April 2016, surmised by GK to have been A. trifoliatum at the time but not followed through with confirmation until 2020’.
We have also seen Lathyrus aphasia (Yellow Vetchling) and Lychnis flow-cuculi (Ragged Robin) there although not recently (both are on the Kent Rare Plant Register): the new strimming regime put paid to that. Bees, Butterflies &c. were previously plentiful. And Fumaria capreolata (White Ramping-Fumitory) has recently established itself.
We have stressed there will be no costs incurred by the Council. We just need to agree a Maintenance Schedule: essentially, reducing the strimming.
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