Regarding the letter 'An attitude of neglect' (The Review

May 25, 2012), the writer, who resides in Cambridge,

shows an embarrassing lack of horticultural knowledge.

The parish council of Newnham-on-Severn wishes

to have a mass planting of daffodils through the village

centre (the area called 'The Chains'). After daffodils

flower, the green foliage must be left to regenerate the

bulbs, and hopefully multiply them, for the following

year's flowering.

Gardeners know that with crops such as asparagus

or raspberries, anyone ignorant enough to cut the foliage

down, after fruiting, will have no fruit next year.

Mowing 'The Chains' area now would destroy next year's

flowering: this area has mixed varieties of daffodils,

including modern hybrids, which remain in flower until

late May.

I would inform our Cambridge resident that

other visitors admire 'The Chains' in late May and June as

a 'wild flower meadow'. This year's 'Chelsea Flower Show'

featured 'Wild flower mats' which may be purchased at

some expense, whilst we can enjoy these wild flowers,

bees and butterflies completely free!

The parish council has chosen not to have a sterile,

grassed area in 'The Chains', in favour of a mass-planting

of daffodils. This is the rural vibrancy which Newnham

residents have chosen, rather than reside in some

suburban waste-land.

I would be interested, however, to hear more

details from Mr. Harris about the 'quintessential customs

and ways of life' which he claims to have observed in

Newnham?

–  David A. Holder, High Street, Newnham-on-

Severn.