Activities for children

Wednesday 18 August

Treasure Hunt 12 noon

Wednesday 25 August

Ticklish Allsorts 12 noon

Bring a picnic, suitable for all ages,

accompanied children only.

Both events are FREE !

Have a spare hour or two?

A couple of wee jobs for our available volunteers in August:

• Hand weed nettles from various places where Claire and Vic have planted wildflowers
• Prune back branches in such areas where they are over shading (prunings to go on bonfire in Graham’s garden, near the sheds, behind the trees on the north side of the Meadow)

New rules introduced on the Meadow

Tryst Seat Fundraising Dinner Success

The large audience enjoys the musical entertainment by Darren and Martin

A party evening on February 13th raised funds for the new Tryst seat. Music by ‘Darren and Martin’, two local ex Testbourne lads, featured such favourites as the Beatles, Eagles, Dire Straits,and Take That. Darren and Martin appear regularly in local venues. Both have studied music and performing arts since leaving Testbourne. Darren has a degree in music and is studying for his masters degree.

Preparing for the raffle

The event was organised by Linda Cowley who wanted to make a contribution in memory of her three former colleagues of the Millennium Meadow Trustees.

A delicious buffet was served

The party was enjoyed very much by the 70 strong audience, judging by the applause and feedback, whose ages ranged from 2 to 90.

There was a massive raffle with the tickets drawn out by the children in the audience. A ploughman’s supper was served during the interval.

People check to see if they've won a raffle prize

The event raised £478 which was kindly made up to a round £500.

Thanks must go to Pat Walker who helped with the raffle and the help and support from Sarah Castle at the Gill Nethercott Centre, also to all those who donated prizes and cash dontations. Also the photographers, chair movers and bread slicers !

The men beside our celebrated women: John Wall, Paul Nethercott and Marcus Nason

Toilets on the Meadow

Two planning applications, costing £300 each, were recently submitted to Basingstoke & Deanne Borough Council (B&DBC) for the retention of the ‘temporary’ toilet on the Meadow (BDB/71582); and for the installation of a permanent ecological toilet in a slightly different location (BDB/71583).

Your comments on these two applications are deeply valued, and are used by the councillors when deciding whether to approve the applications.

You can either write to the planning officer overseeing the applications with your comments, or send them electronically via the B&DBC website.  Instructions on how to comment electronically are on the Whitchurch Forums HERE.

To write a letter with your comments, please address them to (separate letters for each application are required):

Trevor Campbell Smith
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
Civic Offices, London Road,
Basingstoke, Hampshire,
RG21 4AH

Snowy Sheep Dog Spotted on Meadow

The winter weather has brought out the best in man and beast – an huge snowman accompanied by a dog, or sheep, or sheep dog, has appeared centre-stage in the Meadow.

It was built by Robinson family who live on Winchester Road.

The WeatherOnline forecast for the week of 11th January 2010 indicates that more heavy snow is expected.

The forecast for next week says more snow is likely.

Why not pop down to the Meadow and build a few more characters to keep him company?

How creative can you be?

Meadow Works – Update 22 Dec 2009

More exciting historical remains have been discovered during the preliminary works on the old sluice restoration on The Millennium Green in Whitchurch.

Lots of frogs moved aside as two young men under the supervision of Tony Hardy removed the final bits of clayey soil from around the old bridge timbers.

A Meadow Pippit and Robins inspected the works.

Further hand-work will take place when the water level has dropped.

– Graham Burgess

Historic Works Begins

Thanks to Grass Roots Foundation and Hampshire County Council, work has started on the well planned programme to restore historical elements of the Meadow, remembered by old Whitchurch residents. A local contractor has been employed.

Congratulations and Thanks to John Wall

The treasurer of the Whitchurch Millennium Green Trust, John Wall, was given the title of Honorary Alderman by Hampshire County Council in recognition of his service to the people of Hampshire.

The chairman of the Milllenium Green Trust, Graham Burgess, on behalf the entire Trust and Friends, extends his congratulations to John, and adds this reflection on the contributions made by the Wall family:

Deep in the hidden foundations of the meadow we find the concerted efforts of a special Whitchurch family, the Walls. Alison, now sadly passed away, was one of the originators of what we have now and as ever John supported her and did as much as he possibly could to support the Millennium Green.

John is our Treasurer and although we have pictures of Alison and John actually out there planting aquatics in the newly built ponds we have benefitted and still do benefit from the sort of regular input required of Trustees.

John’s discerning and carefully measured approach to treasurership and a good sense of humour enriches our monthly meeting of the Trustees so not only do we have a good friend we have a businesslike treasurer and contributor to social life in the town generally.

Fishy Seats

Design of the Tryst Memorial Seat

If you have been to the Meadow, then you’ve spotted the large metal gate in the shape of a fish, and the benches also with a fish shape.  Now, progress is being made towards a Tryst memorial seat, which surprise! is also in the shape of fish.  Read more about this on our new Seating page.