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March 2022 March 2022

bare mineral and add some wildflower seed. The ecosystem established will never
require high levels of maintenance. This methodology has been introduced BERE REGIS FLORAL GROUP
successfully on the Weymouth relief road and on the Blandford bypass with
fantastic results where verge cutting is required only twice a year compared to The February demonstrator was Elizabeth Whitcome
the seven cuts previously carried out. Wildflower coverage has increased who took on the challenge of doing a series of
significantly along with the associated pollinating insects. Since these pilot studies arrangements using various containers and flowers
this method of highway verge maintenance has been rolled out across many of provided by members at the meeting. A brave lady,
our urban verges. It does take a couple of seasons for the results to start to be given that she had no opportunity to prepare or plan in
seen which can make it difficult for members of the public to accept the change advance.
particularly where they are used to numerous cuts happening over the summer
months. However, the long-term results are aesthetically pleasing, great for the The first was a simple arrangement
environment and significantly reduce costs. in a cream shallow bowl. She used
a pin base and some fatsia leaves
https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/countryside-coast-parks/countryside- with just two stems of lilies.
management/verge-cutting/verge-cutting-information-dorset
The second item was a wooden pail with a block of oasis

foam. For this she used tulips in two shades of purple. Liz’s tip
Beacon Lighting for tulips, to stop them drooping is to cut them to the length
that they are needed and to then to
Event let item dry off completely. When
The Chairman, Cllr Val ready to arrange, put in water and
Pothecary, will be hosting they won’t flop, She also advised that
a Beacon Lighting event people are often frightened to cut
on the evening of 2nd tulips short. She finished the pail with
June 2022 at Durlston dark pittosporum and dark berries in a
Country Park to celebrate lovely compact circle.
Her Majesty The Queen’s
Platinum Jubilee. Town and Parish Councils have been sent the below Arrangement number three was an
information and asked if they will participate by registering and lighting their own open mesh metal container - which
beacons on this date at the same time, 9.15pm, in their respective areas. The became a stunning creation in white,
Guide To Taking Part in this event is available to view and download from - and lime using lilies, antirrhinum, tall
www.queensjubileebeacons.com and will be updated on this site at the end of spikes of bay in a symmetrical triangle.
each month as more and more communities, individuals and organisations etc., Lisianthus, roses and chrysanthemums and a smattering of
join the event over the forthcoming months. The beacon lighting and associated gypsophilia added the final touches.
activities will take place throughout the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, Isle The next container provided was a
of Man, UK Overseas Territories and, for the first time, in each of the Capital Cities wooden garden box for which Liz
of all the Commonwealth Countries on 2nd June 2022. The Chairman would be chose to use parallel lines -
very grateful if you can promote this in your areas, so that as many people bergenia leaves, choisya, and a
participate as possible. dark pittosporum with flowers In

colours of pinks, lilacs.
Council Meetings After this, there was a nod to the Japanese art of
Ikebana. Liz explained that she was no expert but used
From the 15th February 2022 we have returned to in-person committee meetings. a large flat ceramic dish, which Enid Leigh had supplied.
One of the successes from virtual meetings was the increase in the number of It was both simple and stylish with three white roses, some
people viewing the committee meetings live or via the recording. To enable this spruce stems and tree ivy.

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