Plant life is thriving around Farnham as green spaces have been left to grow to increase nature’s presence.

The Museum of Farnham and St Andrews Church are two places that have stepped back to allow Mother Nature to thrive. The Museum joined the ‘No Mow May’ movement being run by Plantlife, a charity that works to protect and restore wild plants, create partnerships and spread its influence.

Museum's lawns are covered in wild daisies
Museum's lawns are covered in wild daisies (Museum of Farnham)

During the campaign, organisations and individuals refrain from cutting or mowing their lawns. Allowing bees to pollinate plants, wildflowers to grow, birds to come and search for bugs and for people to enjoy the natural world and more.

The Museum’s lawns have been covered with so many daisies that it could create a massive daisy chain and the garden blackboard has been reinstated so visitors can find out what’s growing in the walled garden.

The Museum has reinstated its garden blackboard
The Museum has reinstated its garden blackboard (Museum of Farnham)

For three years, St Andrew’s Church has tried to convince Waverley Borough Council to stop cutting the churchyard lawns. After much perseverance the Church succeeded and in a short amount of time the churchyard has transformed into a garden lover’s paradise.

Jonathan Durham said: “The transformation is amazing! Wild flowers growing a profusion of poppies, a wide selection of grasses all good for wildlife and we think there are hedgehogs present.

The presence of robins and other wildlife has increased since the churchyard has been allowed to grow
The presence of robins and other wildlife has increased since the churchyard has been allowed to grow (Jonathan Durham)

Many thanks to David the Vicar and Caroline the Churchwarden in helping and supporting me in this success. Hopefully, the council will notice what a great idea it is.”

If you want to get involved, visit https://www.plantlife.org.uk/campaigns/nomowmay/

The churchyard demonstrates how nature can thrive if left alone
The churchyard demonstrates how nature can thrive if left alone (Jonathan Durham)