Bourneley Meadow is a small privately run wildlife reserve in the Tame Valley. It is primarily composed of very degraded floodplain meadow with trees on the edges and is bordered by a suburban street (next to the flood bank), two brooks and the river Tame (see the map below). We purchased the land at the end of March 2021 (see our first blog post here) and are planning to develop it by gradually restoring the meadow and using a combination of native and non-native trees, shrubs and plants to provide additional food and shelter for birds, butterflies and bees. In November 2021, we took the difficult decision to fence the site because use of the bank by the public was disturbing the wildlife (for more information see: No Unauthorised Access). Tree planting: Up to March 2024, we have planted 1090 trees and shrubs, many of which we grew ourselves. We’re hoping to keep you up to date on this website and with our blogs, but as there is a lot to do and a very limited budget, it may take a while!
Ian and Lia
Looks great!
What an exciting project! All the very best with it!
Ik blijf graag op de hoogte van jullie unieke project.
Veel succes!
Ur doing a amazing job looks lovely
Thanks Nicky! We’re planting now, hopefully there will be some flowers next spring and more to come. Do keep in touch.
Thanks for all you are doing. Can you confirm the status of the footpath (public right of way “Fazeley 4”) that runs from Brook End to Watling Street? It would be good to have it accessible again as it should be.
Thanks Oliver. I agree it would be good to get this path into use again. It does not run over our land, but through the neighbouring property, a horse field. There used to be a wobbly stepping stone to get over the fence where the sign is on Brook End (this should not be hard to fix), and then you can enter the field by the gate on top of the bank, which is always open. However, at the other end of the path the access to Atherstone street is blocked by a ditch and a steep bank without steps that is not part of the horse field. It may belong to the council.
Thanks!
We were exploring the area earlier today and came across the meadow. There did not appear to be any public access, and all gates were padlocked. I spoke with a couple who opened the gate for vehicle access, but was told there was no access. Could you please confirm whether there should be access from Brook End?
Hello Lee!
As we told Oliver in a previous conversation, we support the public footpath. However, it is not on our land, it is part of the horse field next door. The path goes over the fence exactly where the sign is (there used to be a wobbly stone to help getting over). You can then go through the fence at the top of the bank, which to my knowledge is not locked, and into the horse field. The path runs diagonally to the Watling Street bridge, but unfortunately there is a ditch with no crossing and a steep bank to the road, so you can’t get out at the other end. The embankment and the ditch do not belong to the horse field. Someone from the council came to look at the path early in the year, so maybe something will get done… I suggest you don’t hold your breath!
All the best,
Lia and Ian
When I was growing up as a child in the street adjacent to this meadow I spent many summer days enjoying the peacefulness and unspoiled nature of the Brook in which the road is named after. To find the public, the people are forbidden to enjoy this gift right on their doorstep is the biggest crime of them all. For shame!
Dear Connor,
Yes, many people have shared happy memories of the Bourn Brook. In fact, Ian grew up here too and remembers it as a little Lido where people would come and sit in the grass with the children playing in the brook. Unfortunately, things changed over the years. When the bank was raised in 2014, the brook was moved further from the bank and it is now far too swift and deep for children to paddle in. A sewage plant now empties in the brook further upstream, making it even more unsuitable for bathing. In addition, over 20 years of neglect of the meadow has turned it into a field of stinging nettles right up to the edge of the brook. It is not the same place you remember.
Moreover, the relentless building of roads and housing, as well as the increased intensity of agriculture has meant that nature has been pushed back to alarmingly low levels. There are almost no quiet places where animals can rest and that produce enough food for their survival. An example is the severe reduction of flying insects, a key food for many birds. Studies show that they have reduced by 70-80% in the last few decades. You must remember how densely coated the windscreens of cars used to become with the remains of insects after a summer evening drive. Another example is the steep decline of the number of kestrels due to reductions in field voles.
When we purchased the meadow with our modest means, we decided to prioritise wildlife over people in this small area under our control, which is surrounded by areas with regular disturbance (horse field, football field, housing estates). We regret that this deprives people of sitting or walking on the bank (which was the only accessible part when we bought it), but it reduces disturbance of the wildlife. This is already paying off with kestrels now regularly hunting close to the bank, as well as kingfishers and egrets feeding in the brook. As we work hard to restore the meadow, the land will become more easily accessible, and the disturbance from visitors potentially worse, which is why we decided to close the site. While we understand you have a different point of view, it is upsetting to find that you see our efforts to promote the local wildlife as a crime.
We are also active in with the Tameside Volunteers which take care of the Tameside Local Nature Reserve opposite the Fazeley Road Estate. This area is accessible for those who seek a peaceful refuge in nature.
Once the meadow becomes a nicer place we hope to hold occasional open days to show people around. Perhaps we can welcome you then. Please also feel free to speak to us when we are working along Brook End.
All the best,
Lia and Ian
You are AMAZING human beings and all I can say just THANK YOU BOTH for taking on such a incredible project on and for all you do for sake of the nature. Wishing you both endless enthusiasm and that the project goes just well !🙌🏻 You created sanctuary for those who has been pushed away , destroyed and abused by us humans. Nothing else I can say , just how much appreciation and how much love we have for you, for what you do ! 🙏 much obliged amazing couple ❤️❤️
Thank you Irma, it is very nice to get positive feedback. Sometimes the negativity gets us down a bit!
Lia and Ian
Any attempts to encourage some natural diversity in the area can only be a positive for locals, especially, ironically, for those who are shortsighted enough to complain about it.
Well done on putting your own money, time and effort towards such an under appreciated cause.
Thank you Craig!