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We open with comments from Frank Perring of the Royal Society for Nature Conservation about the importance of wild flowers for the eco-system. Nineteen species of British wild flowers have disappeared from the wild in recent years. We see illustrations of the lost flowers and stills of others that are now rare due to intensive farming and over cultivation. One of the main factors is the loss of hay meadows - 95 percent of which have gone in the past forty years. Frank Perring talks about the importance of meadows. Aerial view of a green field (these cultivated fields used to have wild flowers in them but herbicides have killed them off).
We then meet Dr Miriam Rothschild who cultivates wild flowers in the garden of her home at Ashton in Northamptonshire. She is an entomologist and also talks about the work of her father (Charles Rothschild) who set up prototype nature reserves in the late nineteenth century. Next in Herefordshire, we meet botanist Peter Thompson who talks about the importance of woodland areas. Views of Queenswood Arboretum near Leominster in Herefordshire which is an ancient coppiced woodland. Also shots of a Herefordshire churchyard where wild orchids are found. Interview with Dr Anthea Brian of the Herefordshire and Radnorshire Nature Trust who talks about the decline in the numbers of bees. We return to Dr Miriam Rothschild who talks about the importance of grass verges which can be used as natural corridors for wildlife. Shot of council cutting grass verge. Interview with Gareth Randall of Hereford and Worcestershire County Council who explains their work in preserving verges and havens for wildlife. The Royal Society for Nature Conservation have produced guidelines on the subject which are shown.
Interview with Bob Keevil, the divisional surveyor for the agricultural advisory service ADAS in Worcester about training schemes run by the Ministry of Agriculture aimed at farmers wishing to improve the conservation aspect of their land. We then join a tour of a farm in Herefordshire that includes a pond. Peter Thompson is on the tour and chats to Liz Evans, the agricultural officer for ADAS in Hereford about the inclusion of natural wetlands.
Commentary by Kevin Mulhern
Botanical paintings by Leslie Greenwood
Graphics: Brian Becker
Production Assistants: Sylvia Ellis; Sue Pethybridge
Sound: Barry Pritchard; Robin Ward
Camera: Bob Bolt; Terry Doe
Film Editor: Derek Hall
Producer: Vivica Parsons
Executive Producer: Robin Brown; Brian Lewis
Director: Carlene Crowe
Production number 8041/86.