Hurst water meadow news

21 October 1996

Agreement with Parish Council

The Parish Council expressed some disquiet that the interests of residents (who had contributed 90% of the appeal) and of the Parish Council (which had contributed £5,000) were not fully safeguarded. The trustees had agreed from the beginning that two trustees should be Parish Councillors, but this was not legally enforceable. Following a meeting of Councillors and trustees, and obtaining (obligatory) legal advice, the trustees proposed that the following points be incorporated in a Supplementary Deed which would be legally binding:

1. that two trustees shall be serving Dorchester Parish Councillors;
2. that any trustee on ceasing to be a Dorchester Parish Councillor shall resign, and be replaced by another serving Parish Councillor chosen by the trustees;
3. that at least eight trustees must be resident in the Parish of Dorchester;

Three other points were agreed, and would be incorporated in Regulations authorized by the Trust Deed, and minuted at a trustees' meeting:

1. that a copy of those parts of the minutes of trustees' meetings that are not confidential for personal, commercial or other reasons, will be forwarded by the honorary secretary to the Clerk of the Dorchester Parish Council for open discussion at Parish Council meetings;
2. that before the annual Parish Meeting, the trustees will forward to the Clerk of the Dorchester Parish Council a copy of the Trust's annual report;
3. that trustees will attend the annual Parish Meeting to discuss the report and answer questions. The trustees will do all that they can to comply with any resolutions of the Parish Meeting but cannot, for legal reasons, be bound to do so.

These proposals were accepted unanimously at the Parish Council meeting on 9 October 1996, and the Trust's solicitor has been instructed to prepare the documents. The Parish Council has agreed to meet the legal cost of carrying out these proposals, which is not likely to exceed £600. The trustees hope that residents will be reassured that their interests will be safeguarded in perpetuity.

Work carried out on the meadow

The oak gate posts (donated by Leo Hill) were installed on 16 May 1996. The oak stile and fence (constructed by John Fisher) were installed on 19 July 1996. Notices have been put up about the fishing limits and some of the barbed wire removed. The meadow was cut for hay on 1 July.

Work planned

Starting in the week of 18 November (weather and river level permitting), the Environment Agency (formerly National Rivers Authority) and the trustees will carry out some work to stabilize the bank by the concrete bridge (south side). This will be done by willow spiling using live willow posts (obtained by pollarding those trees which need it), with small branches woven between them to produce a sort of wattle. This will be lined by `geotextile' and back filled with material from the site. At the same time the level of the bank above the bridge will be raised where it has been eroded. The willow posts should take root and produce a durable and attractive bank.

Volunteers

Several people have offered to help with weaving the osiers and backfilling. Fit volunteers (particularly if they have some thigh rubber boots) would be welcome. Please give your names to Leo Hill (340024).

Further plans for the future

The fence posts along the footpath will be removed as an `eyesore'. The posts and wire in the river by the oak tree need removing (volunteers?).

A notice board by the entrance to describe the features of the meadow and by-laws for its use is also planned.

The bank of Overy millstream is heavily eroded, producing a meander. This is an attractive feature and could be left as it is, but reinforcement of the foot of the bank is under discussion.

Conservation Management Plan

This has now been received from The Northmoor Trust. We are very grateful to them for producing this excellent plan at no cost. A copy is available in the Museum, or apply to the honorary secretary.

Your views and ideas are needed

The meadow has been used this summer by many families, dog walkers, anglers and naturalists. All suggestions and ideas would be greatly valued.