Wildness in the Wolds

Sad to say, thousands of orchids in a roadside area of North Yorkshire have been destroyed by workmen digging up the ground to lay pipes.

The Yorkshire Wolds location, which is never publicised to deter rare flower hunters, has been described as a ‘sea of pink’ in the summer, thanks to the blooming of orchids. But last week, builders dug a 140-foot trench right through the site, threatening the growing conditions of the common marsh orchids, pyramidal, and common spotted orchids, which need hard chalky ground.

Wildlife artist Robert E Fuller, is heart-broken, describing the sad scene as a ‘squashy mess’, according to local press.

Of course, it’s important to keep such places secret, but surely the council must have known?