Cowleaze
Introduction
Shepton Beauchamp Cowleaze Meadow Project
This project is a community effort to utilize a 1 hectare (approx) site near the centre of the village. The site has been leased by the owners, Wessex Water, to the Parish council for 25 years. The site currently contains a sewage pumping station, which pumps waste water, and surface water to the treatment works in South Petherton. It has been formerly used as a sewage treatment works, but this was decommissioned in 1986.
It is hoped to provide a woodland/shrubby area, orchard area, wild flower meadow, secure seating and pathways that will allow access to a majority of the site by wheelchair users, parents with children in buggies, and all other villagers. It is also intended that a portion of the site is used by the playgroup as an allotment to grow vegetables, and to set up a sensory garden. Cowleaze Meadow can be found on OS maps using ref ST40561708. It contains a public right of way, and is bordered by a stream. The surrounding land is used for grazing cattle, growing arable crops, commercial fruit/vegetable production, housing and productive gardens with mature fruit trees. Various surveys have shown no remarkable plant species. There is a colony of water voles in the stream, and badgers, rabbits, deer, foxes have all been seen in the area. An otter has recently been observed in an adjacent field.
Local volunteers, who come from all parts of the community, will carry out the body of the work, once the basic infrastructure has been provided. We have secured the money for the work to be completed by contractors from a Community Spaces Lottery funded grant. The local school will use the area for nature walks, and the play group will be doing some planting. Before work can commence we require further soil samples to be analysed to make sure the areas to be planted with edible crops is free from any contamination. The survey and soil samples have been completed, and we are waiting for the results.
In addition to grant applications, we have received money from the parish council, various donations from groups and individuals.
Mary H Clarke 22nd February 2010
Click here to see a larger version of the latest planned layout
Wildlife Watch
Would you like to take part in our Wildlife Watch, we have prepared a few notes which will help you plus a form on which you can record your findings, click to download then print your own copies.
Wildlife Data Collection Form
For details of all the wonderful wildlife recorded to date see the Flora and Fauna page.
News - Views - Events
Update May 2010
On Thursday 20th May Martin Fine (facilitator), Paul Brunson (landscape architect) Roger and I met to discuss progress.
The contractors are continuing to lay hard paths and level soil on site. They have now commenced to erect fences around the seating area, which should soon be enclosed. Paul Brunson is to meet them on site frequently to inspect progress. So far there are no problems.
We also discussed contingency funding, which may be required in the light of alterations to the plans due to the results of soil testing. In addition we have to consider the possibility of a sustainability grant to fund some aspects of site maintenance for the first few years of the project. This can be available as the project reaches completion.
On Friday 21st May Roger met with Nick Routh, Estates Manager for Wessex Water. He has not visited the site before, and seemed happy with the progress made. Because some changes have been made to the layout, he requires a modified plan to be filed with his office, and the management plan also needs to be updated. The management plan is being updated.
The work party on Sunday 23rd May cut the grass paths, scythed some grassy areas, and raked grass (to help reduce soil fertility, and allow the emergence of less coarse grasses).
The turn out was poor, so we must try to get more help from all you volunteers at our next event. This will take place on Sunday 27th June, from 10am onwards.
We intend to resume monthly workparties from now on, always on the last Sunday of the month. If you would like to help, but find this time inconvenient, please let us know, and we can see how to help.
For more information contact Mary 240363, Roger 241608 or Debbie 241756 Mary H Clarke 1st June 2010
2009 October Working Party
Report on working party on Sunday 25th October 2009. 5 volunteers attended Sunday’s working party, and progress continues on clearing the site boundary, and preparing for access for contractors to level the site, and commence the infrastructure work . This will only happen when funds become available.
We will have our AGM on Thursday 19th November, at 7.30 pm in the pub. At this meeting, the officers and committee will be elected/re-elected.
The Chairman will give a report on the activities of the last year, and the Treasurer will present the audited accounts.
If you have any items for the agenda, can I please have them by the 6th of November.
Because we are hoping that we will be seeing real action on the site in the New Year, we need all those who have shown interest in the project in the past to come along and re-engage with the group. We look forward to a good turnout. The agenda will be distributed in early November.
If you have any questions, or would like a bit more information, please ring Mary on 01460 240 363.
Don’t forget we have a working party on the 3rd Sunday of every month. The next one is on Sunday 22nd November, from 10 am onwards.
Mary H Clarke 26/10/09
Grand Opening 2011
Our Grand Opening was held on Saturday 21st May 2011, which gave us an opportunity to show the village what we have achieved, and to thank everyone who has helped to bring this project to its phase one completion.
This project was initiated as part of the Parish Plan in 2005, by Debbie Welch, Marcus Jubb and Jane Neiman. They, with the assistance of Parish Councillors and local MP David Laws, persuaded Wessex Water to grant a 25year lease to the Parish Council. The group expanded to include several newcomers to the village, and we have all worked over the years to produce the present area for local use.
Due to its former function as a sewage works, much initial testing had to be completed, to ensure public safety. We have more to do, to develop a hay meadow, and encourage more wildlife to colonise the site. We hope to have some community events in the next few months so that people will feel encouraged to join in our activities.
Financial help has been provided in large part by the Big Lottery Fund via Groundworks, but also by Somerset County Council, Somerset District Council, the Parish Council and various individuals and Parish groups.
Our Project was opened by Andrew Humpherys, recently retired Chairman of the Parish Council, who unveiled our new Notice Board, and planted a tree in the orchard area. During the afternoon the school performed a maypole dance, and we were then entertained by Jeroka, a local ceilidh band , and Ian and partner of US. We all relaxed in the sunshine and had an enjoyable afternoon.
We would like to thank everyone who has supported our efforts in any way they can, and hope that villagers will be using the area for years to come.