Formation of the Trust and Significant Events
The Trust was formed in 2009 when 34 acres of historic, floodplain and hay meadow called the Bishop’s Meadow is put on the market for sale for £250,000.
Four concerned local residents, worried that the land might be sold for development purposes, decide to form the Bishop’s Meadow Trust to raise funds to buy the Meadow. Together with the Farnham Society They hold a public meeting to assess community interest in preserving this land from potential development. The people of Farnham overwhelmingly vote to protect the Meadow. The Bishop’s Meadow Trust (BMT) is registered with Companies House and the Charities Commission, members are recruited and donations invited.
Please find a brief history below. You can find more information on our news pages. If you have any questions or would like to find out any more detail on anything in particular please email info@bishopsmeadowtrust.com
2022
The stream that runs around the north eastern end was widened and deepened as it takes a huge flow of water from the street drains in West Street. Before this work was completed the community wellbeing garden space2grow often flooded and it is hoped that this work will stop that from happening again.
Tree work was carried out on two cracked willow trees either side of the Tudor Ditch. They had branches and limbs overhanging the public footpath and they also had rot within the trunks. These have now been cut so now no branches from the remaining cracked willows will fall across the footpath. A Leylandii came down as a result of Strom Eunice on the 18th February which blocked a public path. This was chipped and taken offsite to be recycled.
New Bins! New bins with recycling sections were added at each end of the North-South footpath.
2021
The poplar trees on the boundary of the meadows were felled after a report showed a large number of trees were at risk and others that needed imminent pollarding. (The report is available to view on our website) The surveys are carried out every two years as a part of the requirements of the public liability insurance.
Fencing installed along a riverside section of the meadows to protect the bank side and the wildlife. The fence was put up to protect the river bank due to the desire of some visitors to the meadows to jump over and around it, this was eroding the bank and disturbing wildlife. The fence will protect the bank and the river environment so that the ducklings, fish and wildlife can come back without interference.
Extensive work was carried out on the Tudor Ditch (read more HERE) The work progressed well which means when we have water coming in from the run off from the local roads it will be able to flow freely to the river.
Pepper-saxifrage spotted! Summer 2021 saw the return of this plant to the meadows. This is a meadow plant with yellow flowers that prefers clay and it is a Surrey Rare Plant. It was last seen in 2010, in roughly the same place Oak Field, the cattle field. Before that it was recorded near the River Wey in 1991. So it is not common at the Bishop’s Meadow and a good find. Read more about the plant HERE
2020
The Trust sees an increase in the number of visitors to the acre during the Coronavirus pandemic as people make use of their local outdoor space. The trust creates a Family Adventure Trail for local children and sends this to all the local primary schools.
The Trust undergoes a project planting over 7,000 perennial wildflower plug plants with the aim of improving the biodiversity, increasing public engagement and giving scope for nature education for local schoolchildren. See a full list of the plants planted here.
The Meadows prove their worth again, protecting central Farnham from flooding by slowing the water created from the rain fall of storm ‘Dennis’ - to view an arial video of the flooding click here.
2019
The Meadows made front page news of the Farnham Herald clearly demonstrating how instrumental they were in protecting Farnham town centre from floods.
Bishops Meadow achieved the level of Gold in the category of ‘Large Conservation Area’ in this years South and South East in Bloom awards.
2018
Surrey Wildlife Trust delivers Management Report. To see full report click here.
School Fun Day. Children from three local schools, one infant and two primary, have a fun day on the Meadow and in space2grow including a bug hunt, Tudor Pharmacy, stone painting and storytelling. Beautiful weather makes it a perfect day.
Cattle return to the Meadow after about 40 years. Part of the Meadow at the West end, called “Oak Meadow”, is fenced and water brought in. Five heifers come from a local farm.
A substantial donation (together with Trust reserve funds) allows the Trust to repay all of the outstanding loan from Farnham Building Preservations Trust. The whole of the Meadow now mortgage free and belongs to BMT members.
BMT enters South East in Bloom and wins Gold and first overall Large Conservation Area class.
A visit and report from the Floodplain Meadows Partnership provides recommendations on future land management including the potential to graze cattle on the Meadow.
2017
Farnham Lions fund purchase of weather stations for Meadow and local schools.
Grant received from Heritage Lottery Fund for preparation of a Land Management Report. Surrey Wildlife Trust commissioned to deliver this. See full survey and species report HERE
School Fun Day, sponsored by Farnham Round Table. Children from two local primary schools have a day on the Meadow with Surrey Wildlife tutor. Fun and games for all.
BMT enters South East in Bloom as a Large Conservation Area and receives a Gold Award and is also part of Farnham’s entry to Britain in Bloom (where town awarded Gold)
2016
The Trust participates in Farnham’s entry to South East in Bloom and is awarded the Chairman’s Award Britain which is only awarded to one project in the whole region.
2015
A legacy of £10,000 is received. The loan to the Farnham Building Preservations Trust stands at £55,000. Surrey Wildlife Trust carries out restoration work on the Wey river bed and banks. Active work on the Meadow includes hedge restoration, tree planting, removing invasive species of plants and planting additional fruit trees.
The Trust participates in Farnham’s entry to South East in Bloom and again awarded a Certificate of Excellence.
2014
The Children’s Orchard created. Children from six local schools and a Cub Pack come to the Meadow to plant their trees.
The Floodplain Meadows Partnership visits and give recommendations on future land management including conservation grazing as part of the Meadow’s restoration
BMT takes part in South East In Bloom as part of Farnham in Bloom. A wild flower meadow is created using seeds provided by Farnham Town Council and Friends of the Earth for their bee cause. BMT awarded a Certificate of Excellence.
2013
The Farnham Building Preservation Trust gives BMT an interest free loan of £75,000, to buy the final part of the Meadow. The loan is to be repaid over 20 years.
The Environment Agency provides a report to the BMT about future options for the Meadow.
The Meadow is selected as a Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI) based on the National Vegetation Classification survey report for Bishop’s Meadow (2013) and using data collected during 2011 and 2012 by the Surrey Wildlife Trust.
2012
The Open Spaces Society awards the Bishop’s Meadow Trust its first ever Open Spaces Award in recognition of the BMT’s campaign to save the Meadow.
The Wild Trout Trust surveys the River Wey running through the Bishop’s Meadow and makes recommendations. Click here for the full report.
2011
A group of travelers take up residence on the Meadow. After a week of negotiation they agree to move. A new security gate is installed.
The second Kidsfest is held on Oak Meadow raising £10,000. An anonymous donor is so impressed by Kidsfest involvement with the local community that they give £25,000 to the Trust. The Trust holds a “Glambash” charity auction at the Castle which raises £5,241
First of the annual hay cuts on the Meadow.The first portion of the Meadow is purchased by the BMT from Sir Ray Tindle who retains a section of the land – renamed Manor Meadow.
2010
First of the annual hay cuts on the Meadow and Surrey Wildlife Trust becomes actively involved with the Meadow
Local philanthropist and media businessman, Sir Ray Tindle, purchases the land in order to assist BMT to achieve its aim. He agrees to sell back 31.5 acres to BMT at the price he paid, and gives BMT two years (later extended to 3) to raise sufficient funds to do so.
2009
The Trust is formed when 34 acres of historic, floodplain and hay meadow called the Bishop’s Meadow is put on the market for sale for £250,000. The Bishop’s Meadow Trust (BMT) is registered with Companies House and the Charities Commission, members are recruited and donations invited.
Image courtesy of Chris Shepheard