Grateley House School has a very active student council who on an annual basis undertake a yearly community project.
This year’s project was supporting the Wiltshire Wild Life Trust and helping to pull the ragwort. The ragwort has to be removed from the area and although it can be a significant nuisance to horse keepers, the species are a very important source of nectar and pollen.
The team made their way to Coombe Bissett Down in Salisbury and went on the chalk down land valley, which is a site of ‘special scientific interest’ to help remove the ragwort.
In the valley, the peak time for flowers is between late May and early June but the flower display continues all summer with delicate harebells, bee orchid, devil’s-but scabious and Wiltshire’s county flower, the burnt orchid blooming away.
The wild life trust is also home to about 150 species of insects such as bees, flies and butterflies.
The students all had a wonderful day and learned so much! Also, a big thank you to Andrew for allowing everybody to volunteer and making the day so enjoyable!