Contact us
Visit CPRE.org
Donate
Help bring our Magnificent Meadows to Life
Magnificent Meadows Phase Two Launches in Hampshire with £10,000 Boost from South Downs Community Trust
The Magnificent Meadows project, which aims to restore and enhance Winchester’s precious meadows, is entering an exciting new chapter as Phase Two officially launches, thanks to a generous £10,000 pledge from the South Downs Community Trust. This vital funding kickstarts a renewed and expanded effort to restore, manage, and celebrate the rich biodiversity and cultural heritage of local meadow landscapes.
But now the community’s help is needed to bring the full vision to life.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the South Downs Community Trust for their support,” said Alison Talbot, Operations Manager at CPRE Hampshire. “Their pledge gives us a strong foundation, but we need the community to rally behind us to unlock the full potential of Winchester’s meadows.”
Help bring Winchester’s Meadow to Life
Nestled on the edge of the city and reaching into the stunning South Downs National Park, the Magnificent Meadows project is working to restore a precious patchwork of chalk grasslands between St Catherine’s Hill and Magdalen Hill Down – designated for their chalk grassland and havens for rare plants and wildlife.
Across Bar End and Highcliffe, sixteen small grassland sites (just over 6 hectares in total) hold the potential to become vibrant, nature-rich meadows at the heart of the community. With your support, we can make that vision a reality.
Phase Two of Magnificent Meadows
The project team is calling on local residents, businesses, and countryside lovers to match the Trust’s donation by raising an additional £10,000.
These funds will enable the full realisation of Phase Two, including greater community involvement, enhancing traditional land management practices, and expanding access to nature-based wellbeing activities.
Your Support Will Help Fund:
- Traditional Haymaking by Hand
Reviving age-old techniques that are gentle on the land and essential for maintaining species-rich grasslands. - Wellbeing Walks
Guided experiences designed to improve mental health and foster a deeper connection with the natural environment. - Green Hay Harvesting
A vital conservation technique that involves spreading freshly cut, seed-rich hay from established meadows to new or degraded sites—helping wildflowers and grasses to take root and flourish. - Ongoing Meadow Management
Including scything, species monitoring, and habitat restoration – ensuring that these landscapes continue to flourish for generations to come. - Chalk Hill Jewel Garden Surveys
Working with local residents in Highcliffe and Bar End to identify and nurture species-rich gardens.
A Shared Responsibility
“We’ve seen how our local meadows can transform – not just the land, but the lives of those who visit and care for them,” said Rachel Remnant, from Land Lore Consulting, Project Lead. “Phase Two is about building on the momentum of the pilot project. With the right support, we can enhance local spaces, share their benefits more widely, and pass on traditional skills that are at risk of being lost.”
Whether you can give £10 or £1,000, your donation will make a real difference. Every contribution helps us take another step toward a future where meadows are not just surviving, but thriving.
