TODAY, in the wild wood just along the canal

towpath from the A39 towards Bude, you can see a carpet of wonderful English bluebells. That's the upside. The downside is that they are surrounded by an army of wild garlic.

It must still be possible to bring the garlic under control by selectively spraying it with an eco-friendly chemical. If this is not undertaken this year we shall lose the bluebells.

I just wonder if there are a few pounds left over from those donated to the canal restoration, which could be used to redress the balance of nature in favour of the

bluebells.

Bridgerule,

Holsworthy.