Reculver Country Park

This Green Flag Park lies to the east of Herne Bay and is managed by the city council in partnership with Kent Wildlife Trust and English Heritage. The Park provided a setting for the historic St Mary's Church, a location where settlement can be traced back to Roman times.

The site is also the location for chalk grassland habitat and has a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status. The visitor centre has recently been refurbished with a grant from the National Lottery, and the site is very popular attracting visitors both locally and further a field. It is also a destination point on the coastal footpath and cycle way networks.

This ancient settlement has a unique mixture of wildlife, history, conservation and leisure, and so provides something for everyone.

Wildlife gardening

The importance of wildlife corridors is recognised, and the council is changing its maintenance regimes to encourage wildlife reserves on appropriate roadside verges, hedges, and grass areas, in accordance with the Natural Environment and Communities Act (NERC).

The city council continues to work with Kent County Council and Kent Wildlife Trust in producing information packs on gardening for wildlife. Additionally there is a Gardening for Wildlife Award scheme sponsored by Mid Kent Water. To encourage wildlife, the City Council is changing its planting policy to make sure that bird and insect attracting plants are used wherever possible.

Natural burials at Herne Cemetery a copse, glade and meadow area have been created to provide a natural environment to lay to rest loved ones and also enhance the biodiversity interest in the cemetery. Not only has a tranquil setting been creating for contemplation, taking on board stunning views across the district; but also habitats for wild flowers, wild grasses, birds, insects and small mammals.

Competitions

The local gardening competition is organised by our Herne Bay in Bloom Committee with assistance from the council in producing promotional matter and the Street Scene Team in identifying suitable gardens and containers for entry. This year the committee have worked very hard to secure the sponsorship of local businesses for each class of competition. Judging takes place towards the end of June, and prizes are awarded at an awards ceremony in early July.

In addition they have ordered special trophies which can be kept for the first prize winner in each class as a permanent memento of their achievement. Judges are drawn from the Herne Bay Allotments Association, Herne Horticultural and Rose Society, and ex horticultural professionals. Extending the planter theme, the Town Centre Partnership provide potato containers to interested businesses for sponsorship. The best container will be eligible for a prize.