Haywards Heath u3a Eco-friendly Living Group meeting 8 April 2024

The meeting was open to ten persons including six guests, primarily to visit the garden to view the plants and insects. The garden is on a contour line from which natural springs emerge elsewhere around the village. Although no springs occur in the garden, marsh thistles and Southern Marsh orchids are thriving, confirming damp conditions. Other orchid species rosettes were seen; Common Twayblades, Common-spotted orchids and a solitary Fragrant orchid.

During the tour a Green-veined White butterfly was seen which can be found in gardens favouring damp areas. A range of wild crucifers are eaten by the caterpillars including, Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis), both well established in this garden. A leading article was presented to the meeting from a veterinary journal highlighting the ecological damage from flea “treatments”, i.e. poisons.

This is also addressed by a Buglife report on flea poisons. And it was a concern in the Parliamentary Westminster Hall committee meeting at https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/4abdd3b2-2ebc-4059-b498-798f00f4a1f1 when for the fourth year an emergency derogation allows the use of neonicotinoid treated sugar beet seeds contrary to all expert advice. If you are pressed for time start viewing from 15 minutes into the discussion.