WITH 99 per cent of Cheshire meadows having been wiped out over the past 60 years, a charity trust is on a mission to raise awareness as well as figures.

Cheshire Wildlife Trust is encouraging people to celebrate the beauty and tranquillity of meadows, and – having restored a site near Holmes Chapel – invited the Guardian for an education in species-rich grassland.

A project to restore Swettenham Meadows began last year and has already come to fruition, although the Trust acknowledges that, in order for the habitats to revive, much more needs to be done.

The Trust is committed to creating a 12-acre hay meadow in Bickley, where it is headquartered, and to restoring 247 acres of species-rich grassland in Cheshire within the next decade.

“To achieve this we need people’s support,” said Joe Pimblett, Cheshire Wildlife Trust area east co-ordinator.

“We have just launched our ‘Save Our Marvellous Meadows Appeal’ which we hope everyone will get behind.

“Many of us can remember the beautiful floral meadows of Cheshire from years gone by – it would be great for all of us, and especially wildlife, if they were to prosper again.”

The Swettenham project, backed by the national Coronation Meadows initiative, has already seen a huge difference in the diversity of plant species over the past year.

Fourteen resident butterfly species have been recorded on site, along with an array of grassland pollinators such as bees, hoverflies and moths.

Farmers who have seen the Trust’s work are also joining the cause, employing them to create ‘stepping stone’ meadows to allow species to migrate.

The process begins with a grass field, which is sown with hay and wildflower seeds.

Ongoing work involves cutting 90 per cent of the meadow in summer to give late-flowering plants a chance to grow, flower and seed. The meadows are also grazed by cattle, to aid germination while preventing dominant plant species from taking over.

Conservation director Martin Varley said: “Not surprisingly, many grassland specialist pollinators such as bees, butterflies, hoverflies and moths are in rapid decline.

“Insect-feeding small mammals and birds such as the yellow wagtail, lapwing and skylark have all also been impacted by the losses.

“We are already hard at work to try and turn this around but there is always more to do.”

Find out more about Swettenham Meadows and plan your visit at cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/our-reserves.