Kings Worthy resident’s flora photographs recognised with new board
The efforts of a keen photographer to document the flora of Topfield open space have been recognised by Winchester City Council.
A new information board has been created from the photographs of Kings Worthy resident Mervyn Edwards, who has been recording and photographing the different flowers he identifies at Topfield throughout the year.
Mervyn showed one of his pictures to Winchester City Council Cabinet Member for Place and the Local Plan, Cllr Jackie Porter. From there, with the help of council officers from the Natural Environment team, Mervyn’s photos were compiled into an information board for the benefit of any visitors to the space.
The board was unveiled after a short ceremony, attended by Mervyn, who was joined by family, friends and neighbours.
Councillor Porter said: “I first became aware of Mervyn’s photographic prowess when I visited him and he showed me his beautiful picture.
“When I then saw his unique record of every single flower that he had seen on Topfield throughout the year, I knew that this was something to be shared with every visitor.
“Mervyn should be very proud that this board will be used by generations of Topfield visitors. The time and effort photographing the flowers has already engendered a real connection with the ecology of this area for future generations. His photographic record will be an inspiration to visitors for years to come, and we would like to offer him our gratitude and thanks.”
Among those who have already benefitted from the board are the local Kings Worthy Guides and Rangers, who recorded June’s flora in bloom for a local database which will enable the community to see nature’s progress at the open space over the coming years.