An East Yorkshire woman Dorothy Parker was tormented by fear that the rare flower meadow once farmed by her dead partner could be lost for ever.

So she drove 90 miles through the night to the County Durham home of television botanist David Bellamy, arriving at 4am to seek his advice. He came to her help gladly with a personal letter calling for the meadow's preservation.

Mrs Parker, 54, of Bishop Wilton, near Pocklington, lost her partner, Owen Robinson, in April. He had a 50-year lease on the Poor Land's Trust meadow there.

Because of his basic farming methods the land became rich in rare species and insects. This was discovered in 1988 and English Nature noted it as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, but Mrs Parker was worried that Mr Robinson's death could bring all that to an end.

She said: "I was so desperate I didn't know what to do I knew at the end of the day the only person who could help me was David.

"He was absolutely astounded when I turned up on his doorstep.

"But he let me in, made me a cup of tea, switched on his computer and began typing out a letter so I could explain to people how important the land is.

"I felt so relieved he was so understanding."

Dr Bellamy told the Evening Press that he saw Mrs Parker in his garden when he got up to make cup of tea.

"I couldn't believe it, she was in such a state, so I let her inside the house.

"She told me that she had woken up in the night, and thought she needed to speak to me so she looked up my address.

"I think she's an amazing woman genuinely concerned about the future of the environment."

Dr Bellamy's letter stated: "It is a gem (the land) that must be saved for prosperity, not only as a unique example of past sustainable land management, but as a crop to be used for the rehabilitation of other meadow systems."

Mrs Parker added: "That piece of land was Owen's life he was a simple man, he wasn't part of the rat race.

"He farmed it the best way he knew how I only hope the meadow will continue to prosper in his memory and will be looked after with care."

English Nature conservation officer Simon Christian said: "The site will remain an SSSI regardless of ownership. We have recently met with the chairman of the Poor Land trustees who is fully aware of the implications of SSSI designation.

"We are keen to ensure that the sympathetic management of the land continues, and we will work with those who are responsible for the site's management to ensure that this important meadow is indeed safeguarded for the future."

see COMMENT 'A real TV star'

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