Annual Review
12th December 2025
Janek busily replacing trees on the Meadow
Memorial Trees - Annual Health Review
Janek, from JD Gardening, our tree expert, carrried out an on-site annual review at the end of November. Due to the harsh drought last summer, and in spite of our best efforts at watering, eight trees have died. Two of these were trees bought from Barcham, one of which was replaced free of charge. The other six were our own trees, transplanted from the boundary. These were always going to be the most vulnerable. Sadly, the BagLadies tree in the middle of the fireld was one of the casualties, but this has been replaced with a more sturdy oak.
Losing just over 5% of the trees after such a dry summer is considered a success and was only achieved by the efforts of the volunteers who manned the pumps and kept the trees watered throughout the summer.
We rerceived donations for four more trees during the year bringing the total to 50. A memorial tree is a great way to remember a friend or family member, as well as supporting the Jubilee Meadow Project. There is still a small number of trees avaiable at £250 each, which includes a memorial plaque. Please contact John if you would like to support us this way.
Jubilee Meadow Memorial trees in early Summer
Thornham Parish Council Grant
Maintenance of the meadow, particularly in the early years, is quite high, and demands can be quite intensive. There is always a lot to do. No sooner have the seeds flowered than they have to be cleared away, cut and lifted, ground cleared, all in an annual cycle.
We are very grateful therefore, for a grant from Thornham Parish Council which has helped enormously with the meadow maintenance throughout 2025. TPC’s iinvolvement makes this a true community project.
Quick Look Back
These photos show how splendid Jubilee Meadow looked in early summer, and this, after only two years’s work. To those of you who have supported us in many ways,from sponsoring nest boxes, benches and tables, memorial trees, or by volunteering to pull up ragwort, plant natural daffodil bulbs or sow seed – our grateful thanks.
It is your meadow and nothing would have been achieved without your support. If you would like to help in any aspect of managing the meadow, do let us know. There is always something to do, and you can do as much, or as little, as you wish.
For now, the bulbs are planted,the nest boxes cleaned out,new annual seeds sown, the trees attended to, and the meadow is dormant for the winter.
We wish all our supporters a Happy Christmas, and look forward to the Spring with great anticipation.