Coronavirus: Woman chalks plant names on paths on lockdown walks

A woman who chalks plant names on pavements said she hoped it would make more people "open their eyes" to the natural world.

Jane Perrone, 46, from Bedford, studies "every crack in the pavement" to "liven up" her daily lockdown walks.

She posted some of her descriptions on a Bedford residents' Facebook page and was "overwhelmed" at the response.

"It's just a way of putting a big arrow towards things people haven't noticed," she said.

Ms Perrone, a plant and garden journalist and creator of On The Ledge podcast, goes on daily walks with her nine-year-old son Fred, and dog Wolfie.

"When I'm walking down the street, I have my plant glasses on - I'm looking in every crack of the pavement," she said.

"If you start having that curiosity, it's amazing how much you'll see."

Her descriptions on the pavement include the name in Latin and English, while her online posts tell people what other uses they have.

"Once you know and understand the plants' possibilities, it opens up finding that plant elsewhere or sowing the seeds of it in your garden," she said.

Peter Element, who lives close to Ms Perrone, said: "I'm really enjoying these posts, it's making our area come alive for me."

Bedford Green Party councillor Lucy Bywater, who also lives nearby, said: "It's making people start to think differently about their connection with nature and to appreciate things they didn't notice before.

"You might just walk to the local shops, but looking down and seeing things springing up between the paving slabs, it can surprise people and give them pleasure."

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