PUPILS from Franksbridge School were invited recently to sow native wildflower seeds at a natural burial ground.

Hay Meadow Burials is a natural green burial ground located in the Radnorshire hills which opened in January this year.

Richard and Sarah Vale set up the enterprise at Busnant Farm, Glascwm near Hundred House, and have so far hosted three funerals. They offered the children the opportunity to scatter seeds sourced from wildflower meadows on the Powys/Herefordshire border.

The seeds included varieties such as: Oxeye daisy, Yellow rattle, Field Scabious, Cowslip, Agrimony, spotted orchid, Knapweed, Eyebright, Meadow Foxtail, Red and White Clover, Meadow Buttercup and Lesser Stitchwort. Richard and Sarah invited the pupils from Franksbridge Primary to scatter the seeds because their son, Sam, is a pupil there.

Sarah said: “The children at Franksbridge school are currently learning about pollination and are in the process of creating their own wildflower meadow in the school grounds.

“Therefore, we thought it would be nice to invite the whole school to join in sowing our meadow.

“The children turned up in their wellies and had hot chocolate and cookies upon arrival. It started with the older children of the school helping Richard place sticks in a grid across the two and a half acre meadow.

“All the children, teaching staff and Sue Williams from Franksbridge, who kindly drove the minibus, then took a tray of seeds each and scattered the seeds in their designated area.

“Although we already have a good selection of wild meadow flowers throughout the field, we would love to see the meadow full of vibrant colours and busy bees.”

Sarah added that Hay Meadow Burials is available as a burial site for anyone, regardless of race or religion, and those choosing a burial place could choose their own site.

She said: “We welcome any faith, religion or belief, so the burial is suitable for everyone.

“You can create something different or have a traditional funeral with a church service. It’s also a chance to return back to nature and choose your final resting place, anywhere in the meadow.”

After the scattering of the seeds, Sarah said the children were taken on a walk through an adjoining orchard and shown the beehives the farm has developed and which produced their first batch of honey earlier this year.

She added: “We thought it would be nice for the children to then walk through the adjoining orchard and take a look at the beehives where Sam gave a

brief talk on beekeeping with his father.

“We were fortunate that the weather on the day pulled through for us.

“We were worried we may get blown away as we are up in the hills and it can get quite windy. In the summer we will invite the children back to Hay Meadow Burials for a picnic and to see the flowers developing in the meadow.”

In addition to the children and teachers at Franksbridge Primary, Sarah said she and Richard would like to thank Gaer Farm Buses for providing free transport and Julian Jones, of Radnorshire Wildlife Trust, who helped to map out the wild flower meadows.