Special Distinction Award for Widemouth Bay

We are delighted to announce that our Cornwall Holiday Park, Widemouth Bay has been awarded a Special Distinction Award in the 2016 David Bellamy Conservation Award Scheme (DBCAS). This award is made in addition to the Gold Standard and Honey Bee Friendly award we have achieved this year.

The award has been given for the work we have done to the large field at the centre of the park from a mono-crop sprayed with pesticides to a wonderful wild flower meadow. The flower meadow has made a major difference to the wildlife at Widemouth Bay that provides real benefits to bees and other pollinators. 

“There was part of a field that wasn't producing corn very well and we thought that if we were to let the area grow naturally, more bees, butterflies and other insects and animals would be attracted to the area,” explains Phil Parkin, Widemouth Bay's General Manager. “At the beginning of the year the area was strimmed and cut leaving its Gauze Bushes to further grow. One part of the land is quite steep and this made mowing and removing of cuttings challenging. However, we had two men working on the project and they took around three days to make the area habitable.” 

The project has been a success, with the area attracting more bees, butterflies and moths. “Now that there is higher grass, this has given more shelter which has attracted mice, voles and other small animals,” Phil says. “The guests like it and because it is beside the walk to our nature trail, guests can stop to look at the grassland and see and hear the wildlife.”

Phil's advice to other parks: “If any park has unused land that is sheltered and south facing, they should look to develop this area to encourage more wildlife. This is a great way to provide an area of natural beauty for guests to enjoy.”