Local MP Maria Miller was pleased to join Reverend Jonathan Clark and members of the congregation at Christ Church Chineham for the planting of two “pollinator patches” in the Church grounds, as part of the “Wilder Chineham and Sherfield Park” initiative. Local Borough Councillor Paul Miller also took part in the planting.
This is a further planting of “Pollinator patches” in different locations across Chineham and Sherfield Park. The campaign, to encourage bees and other pollinating insects, followed a community meeting earlier in the year, which Maria held with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and Cllr Elaine Still.
Maria commented: “It was wonderful to attend the Sunday service at Christ Church Chineham, and follow it with the scattering of the wildflower seeds in the two patches at the front of the Church. As with the other “pollinator patches” I have helped with, I will really look for to seeing them in flower next spring.”
“This autumn many residents of Chineham and Sherfield Park have taken part in the “Wilder Chineham and Sherfield Park” initiative. I hope that this will encourage residents in other areas of Basingstoke to consider getting involved in future with turning grassed areas into “pollinator patches”, planting wildflowers to encourage bees and other pollinating insects.”