A young girl who was left devastated after the council mowed down protected wildflowers has painted a sign to prevent it from happening again.

Young nature enthusiast, 12-year-old Isabella Mann, first discovered Bee and Pyramid Orchids on a roundabout on Abberbury Road in Iffley three years ago.

She then wrote to Oxfordshire County Council to ask if the flowers could be protected.

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She never received a reply.

But on June 13 last year, Isabella found to her devastation that the wildflowers had been destroyed.

Oxford Mail: Image: Hugh WarwickImage: Hugh Warwick (Image: Hugh Warwick)

Image: Hugh Warwick @hedgehoghugh

The story sparked a big outcry and even attracted the attention of Countryfile host and celebrity Chris Packham who accused the council of ‘eco-vandalism’ on Twitter.

He said: “What the **** is the matter with you Oxfordshire County Council?

“Or will you at least now admit this was a horrible mistake and pledge to make sure that it never happens again.

 

“There is no excuse- this is eco-vandalism pure and simple.”

Although Mr Packham targeted Oxfordshire County Council on Twitter and Isabella wrote to the county council, it is believed the grass was mowed on behalf of Oxford City Council by subcontractor ODS.

Oxford Mail: Image: Hugh WarwickImage: Hugh Warwick

Image: Hugh Warwick @hedgehoghugh

A spokesperson for Oxford City Council said at the time: “We agree with Isabella it’s important to give bees a chance and we have introduced long grass verges in a number of areas across the city as part of our 2020 Oxford Biodiversity Action Plan.

“As ever, resident’s views can differ on the issue of keeping grass long, so we encourage locals to talk to their neighbours, agree whether or not they want the verges cut, and make a request to their local councillor. We’ll take it from there.”

The mowing of the orchids in June last year came following the initiative ‘No Mow May.’

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‘No Mow May’ is a campaign supported by many councils across to the country to led wildflowers bloom.

The aim of the initiative is to encourage people to change their habits and only mow once a month in order to let grass grow long to help boost our biodiversity and provide a feast of wildflower nectar for bees. 

Isabella has placed the sign that reads ‘please don’t mow, give the bees a chance’ in the middle of the roundabout.

She was pleased to see that this year there are already signs of the Bee and Pyramid Orchids coming through.

Isabella said: "I made the sign because I wanted the orchids on the roundabout to be protected but this year it is also about spreading a wider message.

"I want other places such as country lanes and hedgerows to not be mowed as it has lots of benefits for animals and wildlife."

Oxford Mail: Image: Hugh WarwickImage: Hugh Warwick

Photos all taken by Hugh Warwick. You can find him on Twitter @hedgehoghugh