Verges – a new approach

As those who have seen the inspiring film ‘Six Inches of Soil’ will know, much of life ultimately depends on the health and vitality of our topsoil. And this applies not just to farms but across the urban landscape too. This chimes in with recommendations in section 1.3 of the Green Living Plan seeking the dual benefits of increasing biodiversity and helping capture carbon which would otherwise add to global warming.

Part of the adjustment we need to make is to recognise that, even if close-cropped grass may look neat, it progressively drains the soil of goodness and damages the habitat of the small creatures that are an essential part of our life-sustaining ecosystem. Discussions between Thame Green Living and Thame Town Council, along with advice from Chesham Council identified the benefits of a change of regime in cutting the town’s extensive road verges. Ensuring that adequate sight lines were maintained for traffic visibility, the change will enable greater growth and diversity, more opportunity for insect life and natural pollination, and increased carbon capture along busy roads.

You may have seen this process under way – and the signs have been encouraging. Even in year one, after the acquisition by the town council of a ‘cut and collect’ mower, new growth and plants were seen. 2023 was year 2, where a long drought deterred growth, year 3 – 2024, a wet spring followed by a burst of warmth has led to much greater profusion.

A small team, initially guided by Wild Oxfordshire, has tracked progress, building up a record of species in terms of variety and intensity, with over twenty species of grasses and plants already identified across several town verge sites.

In 2025 we collected and scattered enough yellow rattle seed to create space for wildflowers to thrive . In time this should lead to a far healthier ecosystem around the town as well, hopefully, as an explosion of colour!

To help maintain all this, we do need more people as ‘Verge Volunteers’, both to help the next stage of seeding and to maintain accurate records of what is being achieved. Training will be available where required. Please support these important steps and contact ….  If you would like to help.