Cllr Simon Eardley

I am very disappointed to have received the following note from a CWaC StreetCare officer yesterday:

“I’ve been made aware of a piece of wildflower on Darlington Crescent which has been cut. This has not been done by our team. Apparently, our teams have been asked on several occasions by a resident if they will cut it, so I can only think this has been done by the same or a similarly minded resident after becoming unhappy with its existence.”

I have no idea why the resident – who has not reached out to me to discuss the matter – objects so strongly to this modest attempt to improve a small area of grass that has previously been ‘all the same’ and of no benefit to nature. The wildflower mix here is good for biodiversity, of benefit to the environment and has, of course, been funded by public money.

The above comments also perhaps suggest why signage that has been placed here has disappeared / been thrown into bushes. This is land that is maintained by the council – it is not appropriate for it to be cut by anyone else.

I am considering how this should best be responded to, but I am very disappointed regardless.

After a long - and very hot - day in London yesterday, I finished up in Puddington village delivering a comprehensive update to residents on highways matters, specifically in relation to Puddington Lane. I've a few more to complete later tonight, ideally when it is a little cooler. It was stunning in the village last night. Two highlights: meeting the sheep near the green (of course!) and then as I was leaving, near Chapel House Lane watching an owl gently fly across the fields - magical! I'll post a copy of the letter in the comments below which are also relevant to Burton (in part, hence the Cc to Sion Roberts for Willaston & Thornton here too).

Puddington and Burton

Having been at a brilliant all day history symposium exploring Chester Castle today - I learnt so much new information - I needed some fresh air this evening. A walk to the former Mollington Grange golf course did the trick. The not so lovely in the top image (a whole bag of litter collected from the Mollington Banastre Hotel down to the public right of way entrance), but the stunning wildflowers didn’t disappoint - glorious bee orchids in the below images (2 of 8 in one specific spot). The site is FULL of nature at the moment.