GAZETTE & HERALD: Castlefield Canal and River Park Association (CARP) chairman Denis Robinson is ecstatic with the new Castlefield wild flower meadow, which has flowered for the first time.

Plans to restore the neglected hay meadow and replant wild flowers has proved a huge success according to Mr Robinson and has received a backing from Calne Mayor, Coun Carol O'Gorman.

Coun O'Gorman said: "It's absolutely beautiful and everyone we stopped said it was beautiful too.

"There were some children playing in it when we were down there and it's a joy to walk past.

"The total plan will be a huge asset to Calne and the community. It might make people stop and go into the Carnegie building and go round there and people will come on the cycle path and see it and stop off.

"People are already enjoying it and I think it really is an enhancement to the whole area."

Mr Robinson said they removed the topsoil because it was too rich for wild flowers and then sowed the seeds this March.

"We are very pleased with it. It will be kept short over winter and spring and will be allowed to flourish from next April and May."

"It will obviously need managing. It needs to be cut and the grass removed from it at this time of year because of the grass matting over."

Mr Robinson said that as part of the People's Award, a grant to be administered by the British Trust of Conservation Volunteers, and with contributions from Lackham College, an information board will be provided.

Mr Robinson said that CARP is already planning its next scheme: "The next major thing we will hopefully be doing is a river garden behind Marden House."