A PEACEFUL wildflower meadow is being created in Buckland Monachorum, which will be used as a memorial area and provide a haven for wildlife. Buckland Memorial Meadow has been spearheaded by the parish council, with help provided by the Silvanus Trust and Western Power. Graham Osborn, chairman of the council, said: ?The council is a burial authority in its own right. We have St Andrew?s Church in the village and associated with that is a cemetery. ?We have responsibility for burials and about seven or eight years ago, the council purchased a field at the back of the cemetery to safeguard future expansion.? Cllr Osborn said not all the field was ultimately needed and a portion was sold off ? but a small area by the footpath leading to the garden house was being converted into a green cemetery, which will be managed as a wildflower meadow and used for the burying and scattering of ashes. ?So far the management has included removal of overhanging branches and cutting to remove rank grasses and invasive weeds,? said Cllr Osborn. ?By the end of this year, the whole area will be ringed by newly planted trees and shrubs, ready for wildflower and meadow grass seed to be sown. ?Through the middle, a footpath of short mown grass will be created, so the area can be enjoyed without trampling over the meadow flowers.? Assisting the council with the project is the Silvanus Trust, which last week was helping to plant shrubs and trees free of charge, thanks to sponsorship from Western Power. Also assisting with the planting operation were children from St Andrew?s School. Cllr Osborn said the memorial meadow would take a few years to become properly established but ultimately, the council hope the area would become a magnet for butterflies, birds and bees. Benches will be situated in the meadow, which could support plaques in memory of loved ones ? a vista was also to be retained through the newly planted trees and shrubs towards the church, said Cllr Osborn. ?The work by the Silvanus Trust is free, the planting of the wildflower seeds and clearing the area will probably cost about £500, so we will be providing this lovely area for people to sit in peace in beautiful surroundings amongst the wildflowers for less than £1,000,? he said.