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
Working Party - Sunday 21st September
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Notes on working party held on Sunday 21st Sept 2008
The group of 7 met and checked out some of the raised manhole covers, finding two deep concrete chambers, approx 2.5 m in diameter and 3 m deep. We assume these are storm water anti surge chambers, and are situated at approx the same area identified by Richard Martin.
The top of the chambers is approx 0.5 m below the ground level, but the inlet and outlet pipes are about 2 m below the soil surface. Providing we avoid planting very close to these manholes, fruit trees should easily be accommodated in this area.
It was decided to make further enquiries about the cost of scanning the site to detect plastic/concrete structures that have no metal content. David is to talk to contacts at County Hall to find out the cost of soil analysis (reckoned to be about £50.00 a sample).
We probably need to check nutrient status ( Phosphates, Nitrogen and Potassium) and also for toxic materials such as heavy metals (eg Lead) and also other potentially dangerous biologically active substances (eg PCBs and organophosphates). We obviously need guidance on this.
Test pits dug to examine the soil profile in a couple of sites, showed a shallow layer of humus, and below that a very mixed layer of clay small stone, lighters more sandy material. The impression was of disturbed soil , some from deep in the normal undisturbed soil,(perhaps dug up when chambers and deep pipes were installed, with a layer of humus that may have been spread on the surface when works were completed, or developed naturally as plants colonised the bare soil.
The boundary between the pumping station and the eastern edge of the plot was examined. The fencing probably needs replacing, and some dangerous looking remnants of spiked railings removed.
At the end of this week, we expect to have had some feedback from our facilitator, so will have a meeting to discuss aspects of the application, and also Jules’s update of the site plan. This will take place in the pub, at 7.30pm on Wed 1st October. A copy of the plan will then soon be available for general inspection.
We also hope to maintain a monthly working party. The suggested date for the next one being Sun 26th October. This will be confirmed after the next meeting. Mary H Clarke
Meeting March 1st 2010 - Notes
Attended by David, Debbie, Marcus, Roger and Mary.
The work party on Sunday 28/02/2010 did not achieve much as the weather was wet. The fence next to the kissing gate on east side of area was repaired, and vegetation overgrowing the stream was cut back. When the water level drops, we need to clear debris from the stream bed. Mary to request help with this task from the lenghtsman.
A visit to the site by the contractor and landscape architect took place on Friday 19th February. The contractor hopes to start work by the end of March. Preliminary notices have been place at each end of the site, to give warning that work will be taking place. People are requested to keep to public footpath, and keep dogs and children away from any ongoing works. We apologise for inconvenience, but these measures are unavoidable.
Wessex Water have completed the soil sampling on Thursday 4/2/10, and sent samples to the lab. We expect to hear some results when Ruth Barden of WW returns from leave on Monday 8th March.
The details of contractors tasks were discussed. Briefly there will be a hard central path along the lane leading to the site. This will be a strip about 1.5m wide, and will accommodate wheelchairs, buggies etc. It should not be affected by vehicles, whose wheels should straddle the strip. Inside the site there will be a hard path from the pumping station to the gate at the northeast corner of the site ( a continuation of the current track.) there will also be hard pathways in the seating area, and around the central bed.
The fencing will enclose the seating area and will be rustic post and rail with stockproof mesh, normal post and rail with stockproof mesh, and three strands on wire on wooden posts marking some boundaries.
We aim to keep the seating area secure, but to maximize wild life movements. Dogs will be excluded from the seating area. In the fencing bordering the path there will be a pedestrian gate, and in addition a field gate incorporating pedestrian access to allow access for tractors, grass cutters etc. The field gate will normally be kept locked. At the main entrance to the site there will be a new field gate, which will be slightly inboard of the present one, and also a pedestrian gate, as at present.The three stranded wire fence will continue from the pumping station along under the horse chestnut trees, and round the corner to the elder tree.
The contractor will complete this work in the spring. The second phase will occur in the autumn when planting of shrubs, trees hedging and orchard will take place. In the intervening time we can organise the mowing of paths, and the planting in preparation for wildflower areas. David is to find local supplier of Yellow Rattle seeds, which can reduce the vigour of grasses. The designation of these areas is dependant on the outcome of the soil testing, and cannot be finally decided yet.
There will be another work party on Sunday 14th March, from 10am onwards. We will look at site and discuss preferred locations for planting (including sponsored trees), and any other outstanding matters. There will also be work on making the water supply ready for the contractor.
For any more information on the project, ring Mary 240363, Roger 241608 or Debbie 241756
Meeting 3/3/2011 re Opening Celebrations
Notes on meeting 3/3/11, with Shepton Beauchamp Events committee, to advise us on arranging our “Launch Event” for the meadow. This is to take place on Saturday 21st May 2011.
Present –Events: Jo, Carole, Jackie, Sharon and Dave
Cowleaze: Roger, Debbie, Barrie, Mary. Apologies from Ruth and David.
1.Arrange time for event. Outline 1pm- 4pm. Propose Maypole Dancing by school team 1.15pm. Meadow to be opened at 1.45pm with short informal ceremony. 2pm Food, drink etc to be available, plus music.
2.Propose to use Village Hall for toilet facilities; also to use tables and chairs (by agreement). Payment for these facilities from Lottery grant
3.Propose to hire gazebos from Parish Events Committee, with payment from Lottery grant.
4.Propose to get local butcher to supply BBQ/burgers/sausages/vegiburgers etc to provide food for those attending. Invited guests to be given tokens for free food.
5.Contact Ice cream supplier to sell products on site.
6.To apply for drinks licence to sell drinks. ( Jo has offered to help with this). Again free drink to invited guests, others sold over counter with any restrictions applying. Propose beer, cider wine and soft drinks. Plastic tableware to be used for safety reasons.
7.Hire generator for use of sound systems. Dave to help with this.
8.Contact local bands, and performers to check availability. Payment from Lottery Grant.
9.Sharon to help with publicity leaflets etc. Mary to contact local media outlets with information.
10.Invite all of village to attend, and bring own picnic if they like, but also seating, blankets etc.
11.Recruit volunteers for following tasks:-
- Set up, including gazebos, chairs, tables etc
- Meeting & greeting etc
- Manning venue
- Clearing up
- Rubbish collection
Cowleaze Committee to check out availability of commercial suppliers, performers etc. When basics sorted, Cowleaze meeting to be called to start detailed planning.
Mary H Clarke 7th March 2011
Update May 2008
Volunteer Work party of Sunday 18th May 2008 and the plan so far…
Present. Roger Cripps, David Gordon, Mary Clarke, Debbie Welch, Marcus Jubb, Keith Robson, Julian from Landart.
Work accomplished and the plan so far
With 2 scythes and a bush strimmer, the seating area of the site was cut. The hedgerow along the back is mostly made up of elder trees. They are very old but surprisingly, are still growing. It was decided to continue to let them grow and cut back in the autumn to encourage new growth.
The next step is to rake off cuttings and spray the perennial weeds (i.e. nettles, docks, and brambles) then sow with wild flower grass seed to enable a permanent seating area to be established
A lot of work was done which goes to show how much can be achieved by a few people in a short space of time.
A big thank you goes out to all volunteers and to all those whom have given help and support. This community project would not be where it is today without their input.
We wish to announce that the project was entered into a competition ‘make over challenge’ run by ROK Building Company and The Western Gazette. Unfortunately we were pipped to the post by a project called MIND based in Yeovil (we were a strong second contender!).
We are hoping to develop this community space not only to conserve and enhance nature but also as a shared, relaxed space for all villagers to enjoy and as a learning facility for our local schools and youth groups.
We are looking for sponsorship, funding and grants to enable this project to move further forward and most importantly volunteers of any age, ability and skill to join our small team of enthusiasts and continue to keep this a growing and viable project. (All tools, donations of relevant plants, bird/bat boxes, benches, etc welcome!)
The next volunteer meeting will now be held on Wednesday 28th May 2008 at 7.30pm at the Duke of York. All Welcome to attend.