Berry Meadow

Our initial project focused on working alongside Twyford Parish Council to help preserve Berry Meadow, the historic 17-acre water meadow situated in the Twyford Itchen Valley, to the north of Shawford Road. The meadow adjoins the end of Berry Lane and the Meads land already owned by the Parish Council.

The Parish Council was presented with the opportunity to purchase the meadow from a consortium of local families who had acquired the field in 2009 to protect it from potential development and to safeguard its continued use for the benefit of the village. Their purchase provided a temporary solution, allowing time for the Parish Council to raise the necessary funds, and they offered the meadow to the Council at cost.

The Parish Council sought to continue the important work already undertaken by the consortium, including improving boundary fencing, restoring the biodiversity of the grassland habitat, and maintaining enhanced public access to the meadow for local residents and visitors.

Through grants and other fundraising activities, the Parish Council successfully raised £75,000. In addition, our public appeal for donations raised a further £27,000, enabling the Council to complete the purchase and secure the long-term future of this valuable local landscape.