Defra launches ‘Love your River’ campaign
Supported by the water companies and the Wildlife Trusts and other bodies, Defra has launched an initiative to promote greater understanding of the link between water usage and the health of our rivers. Given the severity and length of the drought, the rivers are under strain and wildlife habitats are now at risk. Though the River Wey is not mentioned specifically its likely to be affected too.
In the press release Richard Aylard, director of sustainability for Thames Water, was quoted as saying:
“Following one of the driest two-year periods in our region since records began, many of the tributaries which feed the River Thames are running low. In some cases whole stretches of these rivers – for example the Pang in Berkshire and the Kennet in Wiltshire – have dried up completely, and we are only in March.
“We all need to recognise that the water coming out of our taps comes from our local river or from the aquifer feeding that river. The less water we all use the less we need to take from the local river, and from the habitats and wildlife it supports.
If you’d like to read more about the campaign click on the link below:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/loveyourriver/
And as I write this blog, the heavens open, giving us some much needed rain at last!
Land Management Plan
The Bishop’s Meadow is an area of ancient meadow land in the heart of Farnham adjacent to the River Wey. The Bishop’s Meadow Trust was formed with the specific purpose of buying this land to keep it as public open space and as a valuable habitat and environment. The Trust has the opportunity to restore this land as a meadow and to thereby create an area rich in biodiversity, in the heart of the town. This can only be achieved by human intervention and the continued use of the land by people is an essential part of the process. Activities such as walking, jogging and approved educational and other events will not be significantly affected, although for health and safety and other reasons the Trust may occasionally restrict access to areas where work is being undertaken.
The concert will be held at St. Andrew’s Church, Upper Church Lane, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7PW on 25th February 2012. Tickets are £10 (plus booking fee).
The Hart Male Voice Choir performs in and around Surrey and Hampshire in many churches, theatres, village halls, stately homes, shopping centres, garden centres, and retirement residential homes in connection with many charities and fund raising events.
The choir also sings further afield within the United Kingdom. It has often sung in London, including the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal College of Music (a joint concert with Benjamin Luxon), the Stationers Hall, and at the bandstand in The Victoria Embankment Gardens, including being invited to perform there for the VJ Day celebrations.
BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE ONLINE
Tickets also available from:
Simon Bradbury 07831 132839 or Bishops Meadow trust c/o Kidd Rapinet, 17 South Street, Farnham
Kidsfest 2012 is underway
The Bishop’s Meadow Trust, raising money to buy the Bishop’s Meadows in Farnham, is looking for more volunteers to help run the KidsFest 2012 next September.
To find out more click here, OR telephone Jo Aylwin on 07949 205971 or Alex Scrivens on 01252 713684,
Fireworks Party at the Old Vicarage
Bishops Meadow Trust members and friends are welcome to join a bonfire and firework party from 5pm to 7pm on Saturday November 5th in the garden of the Old Vicarage, Vicarage Lane, Farnham, GU9 7PR.
Farmers market hot dogs and hamburgers for sale. Hot and cold refreshments. All donations to the Trust. Last year we raised £500.
To find the party, walk down Vicarage Lane which continues left from Lower Church Lane – it is the Churchyard of St Andrews Parish Church, Farnham.
Parking available in the Waverley Borough, Wagon Yard Car Park.
Major Milestone in bid to save the Meadows
Here’s the press release Jo Aylwin issued this week sharing our latest, great news. This week’s Herald includes an interview. Please save the date of 13th November for our celebration at the Memorial Hall.
Thanks to the great generosity of both a personal donation from Sir Ray Tindle and a private bequest, The Bishop’s Meadow Trust in Farnham is delighted to announce that it is now to buy a significant portion of the water meadows, over 17 acres, ahead of schedule. The Trust will immediately be buying the land between the footpath linking Whitlet Close and Weydon Mill Lane and the western end of the meadows, bordering the end of the cemetery and the land owned by Coxbridge Farm. This 17 acres amount to roughly two thirds of the land the Trust aims to buy.
Sir Ray said he was delighted with the success achieved by Jo Aylwin and Alex Scrivens and all the members of the Bishop’s Meadow Trust. Buying Bishop’s Meadow to preserve it had been a personal aim of Sir Ray’s for many years and he bid for it in 2006 and 2009. He was very pleased to hear of the formation of the Trust and willingly assisted to ensure that, together, they were able to secure the land. “I shall, of course,” he said, “maintain that part of the meadows that adjoins my garden and am very happy that the greater part of this land will be held by the Trust for the people of Farnham.”
In addition to his generous personal donation, Sir Ray, in recognition of the hard work that has been put in by Trust members to raise money so far, has extended the time the Trust has to purchase the balance of the land to February 2013. “This extra year will make all the difference to what the Trust can achieve” said Jo Aylwin, Chair of the Trust. “Our agreement with Sir Ray is that he will sell us as much land as we can raise the money to buy, at the price he paid. Our members now have time to run even more fund raising events and I am confident that they will raise all that we need.” Look out for details of future events in Meadow Watch, published each week in the Farnham Herald, and on the Trust’s websitewww.bishopsmeadowtrust.org.uk.
The Trust is very grateful for the significant bequest it received last week. The bequest was made by the executors of an estate who had the discretion to distribute funds to a charity that would benefit children. The executors decided to give money to Bishop’s Meadow in recognition that the Trust benefits the children of Farnham. Alex Scrivens, Trustee and director of Kidsfest said: “Children are essential to the meadows and the meadows are essential to children. The Trust recognises this relationship and has incorporated a children’s charter into its plans”. Without children being enchanted by the meadows, there will be no future for it as no one will care for it when the current adult participators move on. Now that the Trust owns land in its own right it can build links with Farnham’s communities, working with them to improve children’s involvement with this site. Kidsfest was a successful part of this and helped secure this major donation.”
The Trust will hold a celebration for its members on November 13th. This will also be a chance for members to hear about the Land Management Plan developed by the Trustees following consultations and advice. The presentation of the plan has been brought forward as the Trust is now in a position to start implementing it. “We are really excited about being able to start work on the restoration of the meadows” said Ed Partridge, Trustee and ecologist who is the main author of the management plan. “We have an enthusiastic group of volunteers who have already helped with maintenance work on the land. Now we can get stuck into the larger scheme, including restoration of hedgerows and improvements of habitats.”
Jump for the Meadow
Trustee Emma Selby is organising a group tandem skydive to raise funds for Bishop’s Meadow.
Anyone interested in joining with several members of our Board who have bravely agreed to take part please contact emma.selby@bishopsmeadowtrust.org or call her on 07967 631170.
The jump date is still TBA but likely to be in April 2012, giving plenty of time for jumpers to raise the sponsorship.
