Durme meadows

Three-quarters of a century later, the dike has been reinforced and raised, and no trees remain. In the background, we now see the church of Elversele. Here and there, some willow (Salix ssp.) and elder shrub (Sambucus nigra) can still be found. The dike is completely covered with nettles (Urtica dioica) and reeds (Phragmites australis). Until the 1940s-1950s, the hay meadows continued to exist, but in the meantime, the Durme had become heavily silted due to sand deposition, which affected the functioning of the sluices. As a result, heavy pumping machines had to be installed to drain the area. This changed the perception of these hay meadows (photo set 32). The path to arable farming was open. Most of the hay meadows have since been taken over by maize cultivation (photo set 23). The light-colored plot in the background near Charlier is still used as a hay meadow.
(Source: Recollecting Landscapes)

Hans Verstuyft