Frith Wood, managed by Forestry England, is one of the last remaining strongholds of the critically endangered wildflower, Spreading Bellflower (Campanula patula), yet even here it has proven elusive in recent years.

However, North Herefordshire MP Bill Wiggin, who has championed this species since 2016, finally, in July 2019, came face to face with the rare and beautiful Spreading Bellflower.

 Spreading Bellflower is a biennial and its fleeting appearance reflects the ever-changing conditions that are typical of coppiced woodlands. Forestry England’s active management at Frith Wood, supported by Plantlife, means the conditions here are just right for Spreading Bellflower.

 Numbers of this delicate wildflower have also been boosted this year by Forestry England volunteers who grew plug plants from seeds collected in the wood and planted them out along a freshly-coppiced bank.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.