Our History
2023 - 2025
Follow the first two years of Thornham Jubilee Meadow, from community support and fundraising to planting, wildlife and meadow creation.
Thornham United Charities Trustees: Left to right: Robert, Ian, Janet, Patricia, John, Colin.
The Trustees have been amazed and delighted by the support which the local community and visitors have given to the Jubilee Meadow Project. Huge thanks to all of you who sponsored nest boxes, memorial benches and trees, all of which are now in place and being enjoyed by all.
We are particularly grateful to the Thornham Parish Council and to the BagLadies of Thornham for supporting us with funds to keep the short-term maintenance of the meadow going.
The project was given a huge boost by the Aviva Save Our Wild Isles Community Project without which we would have struggled in the early stages.
We have also been awarded grants by KLWNBC, Norfolk Rivers’ Trust and FIPL
(Farming in Protected Landscapes).
In addition, we are grateful to the following for providing services, time or simply advice which has helped the Trustees through this steep learning curve.
Harry Bett, Jez Batch, Ronan Bryan, Cassie Chanon, Corrie Corey, Ed Cross, Amanda Crown, Dee Cella, Simon Dudhill, Chris Dyson, Lewis English, Spider Goddard, Rory Hart, Gary Hibbert, Sarah Juggins, Billy King-Harman, Andrew & Oscar Jamieson, Tony McGinn, Jay Mond, Sam Pishorn, Lucinda Reddyhoff, Adrian Siddle, Ed Stocker, Gemma Walker.
A particular thanks to Ed Cross whom we first met through NWT. Ed farms at Flitcham where he has, over a period of many years, introduced wildflower meadows. Ed is a recognised expert in his field and we are very grateful for the advice, support and enthusiasm he has shown to Jubilee Meadow.
Where is all began! The Enclosure Act of 1794 granted villagers the rights to collect fuel from Lyng Common. This charity was known as the Fuel Allotment and the land was exchanged some 20 years ago, with Stephen Bett for the land on which the current meadow stands.
The Beginning. Land Consultant Robin Lansdell and his assistant, assisted by Parish Councillor, Antony Needham, measure out the new field.
Before we did anything, we conducted a questionnaire asking villagers what they would like to see on the Charity field. More than 90% of respondents asked for a wildflower meadow with walking access.
An early sketch of the area originally known as West Bottom Field.
The field was renamed Jubilee Meadow at the suggestion of local resident, Stephen Greef.
We were astonished at the success we had with the Aviva Community Fund which generously added £2 to every £1 pledged to the meadow. This got us off to a flying start and secured the success of the project.
We would not have made such a successful start without the financial support of Ed Stocker at FiPL, Cassie Channin at the Norfolk Rivers Trust, The KLWNBC CIL Grant, and our friends at Norfolk Community Foundation. Many thanks for making this project a reality!
Before we did anything, we conducted a questionnaire asking villagers what they would like to see on the Charity field. More than 90% of respondents asked for a wildflower meadow with walking access.