Wickham Water Meadows Millennium Green Trust

The Wickham Water Meadows Millennium Green Trust is a UK registered charity (charity number 1069235) established to manage and preserve the Water Meadows as a public open space in Wickham, Hampshire. The Trust was created as part of a millennium community project aimed at securing and enhancing the natural environment around the River Meon for public enjoyment and ecological benefit.

History and Establishment

The Trust was officially formed in March 1998, with the Wickham and Knowle Parish Council acting as the Corporate Trustee. This formation was a fundamental condition of a grant which required the site to be owned and managed by a registered charity. The site comprises approximately 5.7 acres of water meadow land purchased to provide a public green space. The legal purchase was completed on 10 July 1998, paving the way for development and conservation work to begin immediately[3].

Development and Features

Following acquisition, the Trust undertook extensive work to improve the Water Meadows for public use and conservation:

• Planting and managing trees.
• Installing fences and ground clearance.
• Constructing timber-edged gravel paths designed to accommodate ground conditions.
• Building steps up the old railway embankment.
• Adding picnic tables and benches.
• Installing a new pedestrian bridge over the River Meon, completed in May 1999.
• Environmental improvements to the river by the Environment Agency, including replacing old hatches with boulder formations to create a "ripple" effect beneficial to the habitat.

The official opening of the Water Meadows took place on 5 September 1999, with the Mayor of Winchester inaugurating the site by cutting ribbons across the new bridge. The event was attended by local villagers and project contributors, marking the establishment of the Water Meadows as a valued community asset[3].

Current Use and Management

Today, the Wickham Water Meadows Millennium Green Trust maintains the area as an accessible natural space for local residents and visitors to enjoy activities such as walking, picnicking, and paddling in the river. Volunteers assist in the upkeep of the site, ensuring it remains a clean, safe, and attractive environment[5]. The Meadows provide a scenic riverside setting that honors the historical and ecological significance of the area, which has historically been used for various industrial and agricultural purposes prior to its conversion into a Millennium Green[5].

The Trust operates under the governance of the Parish Council as trustee, overseeing fundraising, maintenance, and community engagement efforts to sustain the meadowland for future generations[1][4].

This charitable initiative exemplifies community-led stewardship of green spaces, combining heritage conservation with public recreation and environmental enhancement.

[1] https://wickhamparishcouncil.org/water-meadows-trust/ [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3950617/contact-information [3] https://wickhamparishcouncil.org/water-meadows-history/ [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3950617/full-print [5] https://www.theamblingpath.co.uk/the-walks/wickham-water-meadows