Recent flooding
As well as being a site of nature conservation, the importance of the meadows also lies in protecting Farnham from flooding - this is succinctly explained on the Farnham Town Council website: ‘…Left to its own devices the Wey, like all rivers, would largely regulate its own flow by over-topping its banks into adjacent low-lying land often designated as flood or water meadows. This natural process can still be seen in operation when the Bishop’s Meadows and other fields alongside the A31 Alton road are regularly under water. This water is effectively held in a temporary reservoir, thus reducing the flood risk through the town centre’
Today, there are very few floodplain meadows in Britain and the Bishop’s Meadow is one of the few that remain.
Crabapple Tree Planting
Two new white flowering Crabapple trees have replaced two that have died. Big thank you to Jon Durham who covered the cost of one of the trees. We wish them well....watch this space!
Path maintaining
During the year the nettles and brambles growing into and on to the diagonal tarmac footpath have been cut back trying to maintain the width of the footpath. Mindful of how muddy the path becomes as it approaches the weir, attempts have been made to try to create a wider path for our walkers, runners and dog walkers reducing the growth on either side.
The Trust has seen the outline plans for the development of the now moved out British Car Auctions site along the north side of the meadows. We hope that by the time any work happens the evergreen and maturing trees will have grown to screen much of any new building planned.
We will be in touch in the Spring in regards to the Trusts AGM but if you would to get in touch before please email info@bishopsmeadowtrust.com - We would love to hear from you!
And if you would like to make a donation towards the Meadows and support the work that we do, you can do so HERE
The more we raise from our members donations the safer the future of the Meadows is.
We hope that you have a very Merry Christmas and wish you a happy 2024!
Yours,
Nick Green - Chair
www.bishopsmeadowtrust.com