Sir, – This is an excellent time of year to visit Farnham Park with the trees in bloom, masses of buttercups and groups of cuckoo flowers. The deer have been much less secretive whilst dogs have been on leads and foxes can be seen during the day.

But notice where there are no buttercups. Large areas of rank grasses have developed since widespread grazing ceased. These dominant plants are crowding out weaker ones, so weaker plant species are being lost along with insects and other species dependent on them. Ever since life evolved on earth species have become dependent on other species, competed with others and evolved to fill the different opportunities for life in the diverse environment.

We have destroyed some of the natural processes, so must help nature by simulating them.

The buttercups are where the park is managed as a hay meadow or as amenity land.

We have a duty to future generations to manage the park to maximise its natural biodiversity.

The most natural way is to have some grazing animals, enough to enhance and create further habitats, stop the decline of the previous pasture and to control the rate of regeneration of trees and scrubland.

Rosalie Hughes

Folly Hill, Farnham