THE Echo has published many letters from people complaining about the state of road verges, open spaces, and most recently, cemeteries.

Cemeteries such as St George’s Fordington and Weymouth Avenue in Dorchester are valuable for their wildlife because they have escaped the impact of modern farming techniques on the countryside, but have been regularly managed by mowing.

READ MORE: Pensioner 'appalled' at condition of Melcombe Regis Cemetery in Weymouth

They provide homes for many wildflowers (not weeds) and the insects and other butterflies that depend on them. The council has a tricky job balancing the needs of visitors and those of the wildlife - they do it pretty well. 

The pandemic has brought home to many people just how important nature is in their daily lives and the mental health and wellbeing benefits they derive from it.

Surely it’s better to take a walk around your local cemetery and enjoy the wildflowers and butterflies than jump in your car and join the traffic jams. 

Flowers have always been used as a way of showing our love to our lost ones.

Far from disrespecting the dead, allowing wildflowers to grow in churchyards and cemeteries (while maintaining access to recent graves) gives nature the chance to provide the solace that we all need during these difficult times. 
Miles King
South Court Avenue
Dorchester