Aberaeron could lead the way in the fast-growing ‘meadow movement’, a long-running campaign to encourage local authorities to allow wildflowers and wildlife to flourish.

The suggestion has been made by a visitor to the seaside town who has been impressed by moves in other areas to transform neatly-mown grass verges into mini-meadows.

Since 2013, Plantlife have been telling authorities the move could help them save money and boost their green credentials.

Several have taken the message on board. An eight-mile ‘river of flowers’ alongside a major route in Rotherham was widely praised on social media recently and roadside meadows have also popped up in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Birmingham, Newcastle and Sheffield.

Now Norman Roderick Jones, a Somerset-based Welshman, has suggested Aberaeron could ‘blaze the trail’ on a similar initiative in Wales.

In an email to Aberaeron county councillor Elizabeth Evans, he said that this, coupled with more regular street cleaning, could greatly enhance the appearance of the town.

In her response, Cllr Evans said: “Regarding the planting of wild flowers, it is an issue I raised in the council chamber last week.

“Rotherham Council planted eight miles of wildflowers on their roadsides and saved £25,000 in grass-cutting in doing so. The bees are happy and it’s a saving to the council, long-term.

“I think we all have to think differently going forward including different ways of managing our town centres.”

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