Malford Meadow
The sponsors formally opened the Meadow on the 27th April, by unveiling a sign board and planting a tree.
After the formal opening, the school also planted some wild-flower seeds on a patch behind the school and put on a welcome tea for the guests.
This would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors, the school and the help of the Friends of Malford Meadow, in particular Ray Stockall, Allan Glass, Cliff Mercer and Colin Hemsley, as well as the “Teen Team” who prepared the “patch” on a dreary evening beforehand (with supervision from Paul and Sarah Weston).
I thank everyone who attended and everyone who helped make it a success (and for their willingness to get wet!).
Iain le Duc (Chair of the Friends of Malford Meadow)
PROJECT
Malford Meadow is a 'Pocket Park' lying immediately on the north side of the Village and extending from the river eastwards towards the Nurseries. The Christian Malford 'Pocket Park' is a communal amenity available to all Village residents for use as a community meadow and where the protection of wildlife is a priority.
There are entrances to the Meadow adjacent to the Church at the western end and off The Green at the eastern end. It covers an area of approximately 4.5 hectares (11 acres) and is relatively flat at around 55 metres (180feet) above mean sea level. It extends for roughly 760 metres, about half a mile, from end to end.
STATUS
Work achieved during the first two years has included clearance of the river bank and the establishment of fishing swims (stations), the re-laying of extensive lengths of hedgerows, the development of a network of footpaths for easier walking and strolling, the installation of bench seating and picnic tables and the installation of Information Boards at both entrances, dealing with various aspects of the Meadow.
The longer grass in the Meadow is cut and removed two or three times a year and there is a programme for keeping nettles under control.
Projects under way include the establishment of a Community Orchard consisting of some twenty assorted fruit trees whilst children at the Village School are developing a wildflower pocket - their own pilot project within the Meadow.
There is a vision for the Meadow to become home to a variety of wildlife, flora and fauna and users are encouraged to draw attention to any interesting specimens which may be observed.