Two grants totalling £1,483 awarded in 2021 and 2024
Volunteers from Thame Green Living are delivering this ambitious project to enhance Rycote Meadow for wildlife, with advice and practical help from the Cuttlebrook Conservation Volunteers and 21st Century Thame. .
After two years of detailed preparation, the first phase of work was completed in November 2021 when over 30 volunteers from the local community, including the Mayor and a couple of councillors from Thame Town Council, planted 29 trees and a new hedge of 700 whips (about 120m of double-width hedge) on the western perimeter of this riverside meadow, next to the Cuttlebrook Nature Reserve.
During 2024, the next phase of this conservation project will be to dig of a scrape to provide a variety of wetland habitats enabling new species to establish. The work will be undertaken by volunteers advised by River Thame Conservation Trust.
When the scrape is finished, the second grant awarded by TOE will contribute towards the cost of a hard-wearing and accessible footpath which will be fenced to protect flora and wildlife and will include a section of boardwalk across a part susceptible to flooding. This will give the general public access across the meadow while restricting access to the precious grassland by people and dogs thereby protecting its special wildlife.
This fascinating project to promote biodiversity and protect a valuable nature corridor began with some ground tidying and preparation before selective planting. This had been preceded by an expert assessment of wildlife, birds, and established plants already present in the meadow. Ultimately the project will incorporate a pleasant footpath connection from Thame Meadows to and from the Town Centre, providing a tranquil location for all to enjoy the river and meadow location. The project will be phased over the next 24 months with access gate, ramp and path. Whilst work is progressing the organisations involved will share the latest news via www.thamegreenliving.org.uk website and social media so please watch for developments. The site will not be open to the public until all this work is completed, and we’d request anyone interested simply to watch from the roadside to ensure there is minimal disturbance to the highly sensitive water meadow.
If you would like to become involved in the next stages of the project, please contact Charles Boundy of Thame Green Living or Andrea Oughton at Thame Town Council.