The flooding of the village on Monday 6 January saw the highest water level ever recorded in Meadow Park with flooding just beyond the Bateman Road gate.
Happily for the trees in the Arboretum the flood water subsided fairly quickly and therefore roots were not submerged for too long. However the work party on Saturday 11th January (working in very cold conditions) spent quite a lot of time gathering up the litter that had washed along the Bateman Road boundary (as well as other places). Many cans, bottles and cartons were retrieved. Sadly some sewage was mixed in the flood water and it takes a few days for this to be neutralised so if you are a dog walker please be aware of the impact flooding will have on the park and keep your dog safe. Some minor repairs were carried out on paths that had been washed away by the flood water. Limestone gravel has been used to fill in dips and holes.
Other work carried out in January (over a number of days and a variety of work parties) included pruning the copses north of Hall Field, pruning back the blackthorn near the outdoor gym and along the Play Field boundary, checking bird boxes ready for nesting. We have nearly 50 boxes and all are used. We have enough funds to buy ten more and these have been ordered. We hope to add more before nesting begins if funds allow. Members renew in January and if we get a good number renewing, or more donations before March we can buy more.
James Naish, our MP has been informed about the overflow from the pumping station but we know that it is unlikely that anything will be done in the park re pipe laying until the West Leake Road site has been completed and this is a huge job still very much a work in progress. Jason Billin our Parish Councillor is also in direct contact with Severn Trent and managed to get them to raise the overflow to 18” (rather than 12”) in early January.
Planned work for February includes hedgerow maintenance in Little Meadow, Stonebridge Field and the entrance near The Burrows; some hedge laying in Hall Field and a look at the Forest School area where three seats were washed away by the floods.
If you want to find out more about the Friends of Meadow Park visit the village website or our Facebook page. You can pick up a membership form from the library, Parish Office or Mel’s greengrocery. Membership per year costs £3 for an individual or £5 for a household. Becoming a Friend of Meadow Park does not require you to take part in the work groups. The membership fees are used to purchase tools and equipment to enable the work groups to maintain the park.