Gate and steps offer Peaslands Road entrance to nearby wildflower meadow in Sidmouth

A WILDFLOWER meadow at Peaslands Knapp, can now be easily accessed by Sidmouth residents and visitors following the installation of a fence and gate.

They, and steps, were finished last week and will allow people to enter the meadow from Peaslands Road.

The slope is steep so a zig-zag path leads up through the trees from which people can enter the meadow or walk through to the Knapp nature reserve.

The work has been funded by Sid Vale Association’s Keith Owen Fund and an Awards for All grant from the Big Lottery. The KOF has also paid for the connection through to the Knapp reserve and for a fence to keep the meadow dog free but still allow dog walkers to enjoy the views and the route to the Knapp.

Kate Tobin of Sid Vale Association said: “It is great to allow people to visit this little meadow full of wildlife and also to have a much more convenient route through to a local nature reserve.

“The Awards for All grant will allow us to do much more than originally planned this year.

“As well as the fence and gate, it will also cover a new interpretation board, signs, benches and a handrail for the path, so we still have plenty of work ahead.

“I would particularly like to thank our two local contractors, Ed Rhodes and Allan Tyson, who have been extremely adaptable and helpful.”

Local mums Christine Clarkson and Rachel Darlami said they couldn’t wait to take their children to the meadow during half-term.

“A few families from Alexandria Road and Peaslands Road are planning a picnic lunch on Sunday, June 5at 12, at noon to celebrate the meadow being open. If people would like to join us, bring a picnic and come along,” they said.

The meadow was bought using money from the Sidmouth Landscape Fund, a trust administered by the SVA and National Trust, which was set up to acquire land to preserve the wildlife and landscape of the valley.