Operations Officer Paul and Community Engagement Officer Abi installed new educational signs at Culmers Meadow and Osborne Meadow. These signs are to encourage visitors to spend more time in nature pockets by spotting the different plant and insect species that are now calling these meadows home. We hope you enjoy them!
Commonly asked questions:
Q: Where are these meadows?
A: Culmers is located between Vere Road car park and Beach Mews, it neighbours Culmers Allotments!
A: Osborne Road is opposite the BT telephone exchange on Osborne Road.
Q: So, Who manages these areas?
A: Under the approval of the Broadstairs & St. Peter’s Town Council Environmental Committee, C E Officer Abi has been working with KCC to organise a licence on the formally disused bus stop at Osborne Road since 2024 when the project kicked off planting two cherry trees on the land. Maintaining and watering this land has been a team effort, working with tendered contractors, BSPTC staff and local volunteers (who we are very grateful for!)
A:Culmers is an ongoing project working with landowners/custodians of this historical land, CT10 Charities, to rewild sections of Culmers Amenity Land. Abi and Deputy Town Clerk Julie maintain this land, with Abi organising the rewilding project that will be starting back up again in the autumn for BIG PLANT WEEK. This was sadly delayed last year due to trespassers. If you have any questions about this project feel free to contact Abi!
Q:Why do the meadows look so different this year compared to last year?
A: short answer, plants which are better suited for the conditions in the area are thriving and growing stronger! Long answer, the seed mixed used is a mix specifically for coastal areas. This mix consisted of annuals (seeds that need to be reseeded every year) and perennials (plants that come back year after year)
In the first year the flowers that grew would have been heavy on the annuals visually, while the perennials established themselves underground. At the end of the flowering season the annuals would have turned to seed, dropped down and begun their life cycle again. However, lack of rain and other factors can lessen the success of them coming back, while the perennials have a stronger root system so don’t need as much water to thrive.
So, the weather this year will play a big part in how the meadow will look next year and what will grow from the meadows’ natural seed bank in the ground. How cool is that?!
Q: Will you be creating any more meadows?
A: We would love to; however we must consider many factors: Who owns the land, is there a good water supply nearby to establish the plants in the first year? Are there services such as water pipes or electric cables under the ground that we would have to consider? And of course accessibility and cost!
If you have any other questions regarding the projects:
Contact Abi at admin@broadstairs.gov.uk for more information
