The Privett family planted privet plants in the Meadow's Ogham Circle
The Millennium Green’s Ogham Circle embraces an ancient appreciation of Nature.
Every plant had a name, a time of the year and a special attribute. This concept was woven in many ways and sometimes something was applied that was applied to other woven works like Persian Carpets. One date in the year was missed out in a deliberate mistake.
Noel tries to find December 23rd on the Ogham Circle sign.
A local resident noticed his birthday was absent – December 23 – so Graham Burgess, the chairman of the Millennium Green Trust, suggested that his name Privett be celebrated in a separate special way by the planting of plants called Privet (Ligustrum). This was done on Sunday, 26 February 2012.
Graham Burgess assists the Privett family with the layout of the new plantings.
In the same way that the Ogham Circle celebrates the year of the meadow’s inauguration in 1999 using a metric measure of 19.99 metres, Noel has applied another measure – one that is special to his family and father – for spacing between the new trees. This spacing is not metric; imperial or the remen as used in Stonehenge but a unique measure formed by the three members of the Privett family joining hands.
The word also is played up by the formation of an entrance to the picnic area and the jambs are privets.
Other volunteers helped out on the same morning to plant more bushes and trees in various places around the Meadow. You are always welcome to get involved with the Meadow – whether it be doing plantings, tidying up, or
managing the charity Trust – it is YOUR meadow. Click the ‘contact us’ link to get in touch.
Sunday, 3 July 2011, was a day filled with fun activities on the Meadow: many families beat out a new rhythm at the drum workshop hosted by Basingstoke-based Drum Runners; and then got wet while netting bugs and other critters from the Meadow’s streams and ponds to look at under high magnification on the Hi-Tech Wild-Trek‘s large scientific display screen.
The activities were all to celebrate the completion of the major works that were funded by a grant from the Lottery.
The chairman of the trustees of the Millennium Green, Graham Burgess, said, “This is our celebration in the form of a launch for the funding we received from the lottery. This was £50,000 to reinforce some of the things we have in place.”
Several town councillors joined the Mayor, Cllr Barry Jackman in a drumming parade around the Meadow’s maze before watching him cut the ribbon which officially opened the new equipment.
Cllr Jackman said, “It is good to see that a little of the hard-earned cash earned from playing the lottery has been returned to this local community…Thanks must be given to the contractor, A&M Hardy, who with his men, have put into being some of the creative thinking of some of the improvements made here.”
He concluded, “Thanks to the successful lottery bid, much has been achieved to enhance the Millennium Green for now and into the future.”
The mayor then talked with many of the families on the Meadow, and even took part in some of the pond-dipping and scientific exploration himself.
Among other things, the grant paid for:
- a new dog-proof fence along the eastern and southern boundary,
- electrical supply to two points,
- hard-standing around the maze area and driveway from the entrance,
- bridge work,
- picnic tables, and,
- the installation of the Tryst Seat.
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A day filled with fun!
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The leaders of the drumming workshop.
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The works were funded by the Lottery.
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People watching from a seat on the Meadow.
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Dipping for bugs and critters in the stream.
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People admire the bugs caught in the stream
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A bit of organising of the catch before heading to the laboratory.
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The Mayor and Mayoress join in with some drumming.
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A drumming parade went around the maze on the Meadow.
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The Mayor, Cllr Jackman, and the Mayoress, Sandra, official open the Lottery funded works.
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The chairman of the Meadow trustees Graham Burgess (far right) points out some of the improvements to the visitors.
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The Tryst Seat
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The mayor, Cllr Jackman and the mayoress take part in some pond dipping with Dr. Richard Osmond and visitors.
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Caught critters from the stream are magnified and displayed on the laboratory’s giant screen.
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Vic Johnstone and Claire Wilson – wild-flower experts admire the colour on the Meadow.
It was a wonderful day for some dancing around the Maypole!
The 2011 edition of this annual event was quite popular, with many people coming down not only for the traditional dance around the Maypole, but also to partake in some games, raffles, buy delicious food and buy some plants!
Oh yes, and to witness the crowning of this year’s Carnival Queen and Princess, all of whom were wearing lovely dresses made by Cindy Dunlop and Pauline Williams. Our mayor, Cllr. John Clark and mayoress Rosemary Crumplin did the honours. This year’s Queen is Claire Miller who is 12, and Princess is Abigail Davis, who is 9. Their attendants are Chloe Roberts (13), Alicia Holt (11) and Summer Coughtrey (8).
There was also belly dancing by Yallah, horseshoe throwing overseen by Robin Allum, a dinosaur hunt and a wand (tree) hunt sponsored by the White Hart. Several businesses also set up shop on the Meadow. There was tasty food served up by the Festival Committee and drinks plus desserts available from the Testbourne Mityana Project stall.
Click this image to download a pdf version of the report.
Dr. John Wall, treasurer of the Whitchurch Millennium Greet Trust, the charity that oversees the Meadow, presented a report on behalf of the chairman, Graham Burgess, at the Annual Town Assembly.
The gathering was called by the Town Council and held in the Gill Nethercott Centre on Wednesday, April 20, 2011.
The Meadow’s full report is HERE.
A summary of the evening’s presentations, from all the community groups, is on the town website HERE.
Many children came with their families to the Meadow on Easter Sunday 2011. To their delight, many of them found chocolate Easter eggs hidden in the trees and shrubs!
Thanks go to the White Hart for donating the eggs; and to the visitors who donated some spare change to the Meadow, to help with its day-to-day maintenance.
| April 29, 2011 |
| 3:00 pm | to | 5:00 pm |
Click picture to see larger version.
In celebration of the Royal Wedding, the Meadow cordially invites you to a real weeding on Friday 29th April 2011 at 3pm!
Bring a garden fork, gloves and a drink to toast the happy couple!
If you cannot make it, or if you cannot manage weeding a square metre, then please consider donating £5 and we’ll find a volunteer to do it for you!
Click our new DONATE button to learn how you can use PayPal to donate immediately.
A message from the chairman of the trustees, Graham Burgess:
We were advised months ago that the Electricity Board would be coming to cut down trees that threaten the high voltage power supply running through Whitchurch. It is a four-year programme. An early morning call advised me they were on site and I could hear the chain saws.
The result is the view of the road from inside is totally exposed and the view of the temporary loo from outside totally open. Whilst I have always thought the objections from a neighbour referring to the loo were unacceptable in view of the value the loo brings to the meadow I could not in anyway support the new exposure of the facility. A call to our loo maintainers, Georgian Hire, led to two guys and two trucks coming out so we could move it temporarily to a less visible site adjacent to the allotments.
A secondary plan is to transplant some fairly mature plants from elsewhere on the meadow to fill the massive gap. A new child has been born to new Weir residents Sean and Helen. Sean is are planting an oak tree on the meadow to celebrate.
Following an initiative by our Treasurer John Wall we have obtained a vital grant from The Four Lanes Trust so we can replace the old mower that was very much on its last wheels.
Over the Christmas period we have been still answering queries to the £50K Lottery Grant, only three so hopefully we will have a positive decision soon.
Soon the areas where the orchids seeded will be mown flat. The Millennium Green has looked beautiful during the snow covered days and the all weather pathways have done their job allowing dog walkers to continue to exercise their dogs.
The Trustees are considering the strategic planning initiative initiated by Bethany Wright which seeks to see if we can have themed months throughout 2011.We have asked our volunteers to plant a tree to commemorate their input.
I made an inspection today and the dinosaurs, contrary to scientific opinion, are not extinct, twenty remain on the Meadow.
The Trustees send you best wishes for 2011 and hope you will continue to support the Millennium Green.
Graham Burgess.
CHAIRMAN OF TRUSTEES
JANUARY 2ND 2011
| October 30, 2010 |
| 5:00 pm | to | 9:00 pm |
Once again, the Meadow was the location for the Whitchurch Festival bonfire and fireworks evening. The event started at 5pm on Saturday, 30 October, 2010.
Before fire lit up the night, awards were given out for various competitions including best costume, and the creatively decorated pumpkins as judged earlier by Whitchurch Arts.
The Festival committee collected money to support their ‘Good Causes’ campaign, which awards grants to local organisations like the Meadow, and needy individuals.
A full write-up, including more photos, are on the town’s official website HERE.
The Millennium Meadow was host to the annual Dog Day run by Thelma Cornwell last Sunday, 19th September 2010.
There were over 70 entries from entrants who came from not only Whitchurch, but also visitors from as far afield as Basingstoke, Andover and Kingsclere. Read more »
Miscellaneous | Andrew February 28, 2012 | 
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