Breathing new life into our green lung (From Salisbury Journal)

Breathing new life into our green lung

9:42am Thursday 19th April 2007 in Journal Features

NEXT time you take a walk along Salisbury's Town Path to Harnham Mill, stop and take a long and closer look at the city's green lung'.

Yes, you will probably spot Larry the resident llama proudly guarding his flock' against foxes. But stretching across some 84 acres, along both sides of the Town Path, is Harnham Water Meadows.

And, thanks to the arduous work of Harnham Water Meadows Trust, the meadows, and their historic irrigation structure, are now managed and undergoing a long-term conservation and restoration plan.

Immortalised in the 19th century by landscape painter John Constable, in what is probably one of his most famous paintings, Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows (The Rainbow), the water meadows also captured the imagination of readers of Country Life. In a magazine poll in 2002, the water meadows were voted as the best view in Britain.

Harnham Water Meadows are enfolded by the Rivers Avon and Nadder on the west side of Salisbury Cathedral Close.

The Trust owns 49 acres on the west side of the town path, while the remaining 35 acres, on the east side of the town path, are owned by the Dean and Chapter of Salisbury Cathedral.

For natural history and management purposes, the two pieces of land are treated as a single unit.

Before the Trust was formed in 1990, the land on the western side was, "rather poor agricultural land, and nobody knew what treasures would be unearthed," said Trustee Jennifer Bowen.

But, with the help of the former Dean, Hugh Dickinson and the late Harold Cory, a Trust was formed to buy the land and a public appeal was launched.

"This was to provide the public face for the Trust, and contains a healthy mix of amateur and professional volunteers," explains Jennifer, who is also Chairman of the Friends.

"At the beginning, lots of people helped the working party start the long hard work of digging up ragwort and brambles.

"We were very careful not to make the land look too perfect. It was a question of seeing how far we could go in this restoration.

"We realised at the outset that we would never be able to restore everything."

What Jennifer is referring to is the highly worked and skilled irrigation system, channels controlled by sluices, that make up the water meadows, and which date back to the 17th century.

"This whole system made Salisbury the seventh richest city in England," says Jennifer.

"Some of the meadow land has never been ploughed. And there it is, right in the middle of our city."

Thankfully, the water meadows are now protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The area provides a rich habitat for all sorts of wildlife, and natural history from the tiniest whorl snail to the oldest alder, though no otters.

"We do get visiting otters. I like to call them bed and breakfast otters," muses Jennifer.

Now an established Trust, the Trustees are keen to push forward the education work to raise the profile of the water meadows in the city. Academic Dr Hadrian Cook was employed by the Trust in 2004, as education officer, and it is Hadrian who looks after the many visiting school, college and scientific groups.

"The people of Salisbury are very, very lucky to have this on their doorstep, and I am looking forward to working with many more local history, environmental and geographical projects in the future," he says.

One resource that has made a huge difference, not only to the Trust, Friends and volunteers but also for the ongoing education work, was the acquisition of Rose Cottage in 2004, after a massive fundraising campaign.

Believed to have been a drowner's' cottage (the person responsible for irrigating the water meadows by drowning each section), the cottage is perfectly situated by the weir of the millstream.

Chairman of Trustees, Lord Marland explains: "Buying Rose Cottage was no mean feat. We raised £400,000 in six months which just shows how much worth people consider the whole project to be."

The funds were raised through a mix of trusts, foundations, fundraising and public appeals and today Rose Cottage provides the perfect base for the Trust's work.

There are many ways to get involved with the Trust's work. You can join one of the working parties, manned by dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers and co-ordinated by Mrs Walks and Works', Rosemary Allen, and/or you can subscribe to become a Friend.

Attending one of Rose Cottage's open days is another opportunity as is the annual environment day.

"The Water Meadows Trust is fantastic," says Lord Marland.

"Every time I walk across those paths, I feel privileged to be associated with the Trust.

The huge amount of work that has gone into creating this water meadow, from so many volunteers and interested parties, makes an incredible environmental contribution, in an increasingly environmentally sensitive world."

The Trust's annual environment day on Saturday, May 5 is an excellent opportunity to find out more about the fascinating history and renovation work being undertaken.

Fun for all the family, it is a real hands-on experience, with the chance to do river dipping, make bat boxes, and take part in a number of other activities with the help of various organisations.

And if you would like to get involved with the work of the Trust, volunteers are always needed from stewarding events at Rose Cottage to joining in one of the hands-on working parties. Details can be obtained from Rosemary Allen on 01722 333810.

If you would like to become a Friend of the Trust, contact Jennifer Bowen on 01722 328162.