Petersham Trust Newsletters |
|
March 2002
September 2002
November 2002
February 2003
April 2003
October 2003
February 2004 July 2004 July 2005 May 2006 September 2007 September 2008 |
September 2008 |
Chairman's ReportThe principal activity over the last year has been working towards finalising the agreement with the National Trust to care for Petersham Meadows in perpetuity. This has been one the Petersham Trust's main aims. Negotiations are now far advanced and are discussed in detail below. The Trust has arranged two very successful events over the last year. These were a jazz concert in the autumn and the regular Open Gardens weekend in the spring.
New gates and fences have been erected, trees planted and the thistle growth that was a problem in 2007 has been addressed. The Trustees are planning to replant apple trees in the orchard as well as an oak and a Cedar of Lebanon as landmark trees in the autumn. The cost has been covered by generous specific donations. In addition, the Trustees are working with Richmond Council to reduce the concreted area on the eastern boundary and increase the area given over to pasture. Your continued and generous support has been essential to the Trust's success and I would like to thank you for enabling the Trust to work towards achieving its aims. National TrustThe Trustees have been in discussion with the National Trust since 2003 to arrange for the transfer of the care of Petersham Meadows. The long delay has not been of the Trustees' making and has been the cause of considerable frustration. The Trustees want to ensure that the National Trust would continue to honour the Trust's aims, the most important being a commitment to continue to retain cows on the Meadows for most of the year and to ensure that the Meadows will be maintained to the current standard. The necessary assurances have now been obtained. In order to transfer the lease, the Trustees need to put an endowment in place which will create the revenue to fund the upkeep of the holding. The amount involved is £455,000. At the moment, there is a shortfall of £40,000. The Trustees main activity is now to raise the funds needed to hand over the Meadows into the safekeeping of the National Trust so that their future is assured for future generations to enjoy The Herd
They will stay with us until October/November when they will return to their winter quarters where this year's calves will be born. The same cows return every year with their new born calves. Seeing them return to their familiar surroundings is always a joy. They cannot remain because the grass does not have sufficient nutrients to support winter grazing. The number of calves is reduced this year as last winter's foot and mouth outbreak disrupted breeding arrangements. New Barn
This has proved to be a great success both as a landmark building and for shelter for the herd. LandscapingOver the last year, the Trust has continued to invest in the Meadows' infrastructure with work on gates, fences and hedges so that the current high standards are maintained. Future EventsThe Trustees will continue to organise events to enable the endowment to be paid to the National Trust. Details will follow. FundraisingThe Trust is a registered charity (No: 1077284) and therefore can claim Gift Aid on all donations to enhance any sums given. Please continue to support the Trust to pass on the project in excellent order for future generations to enjoy. You can do this by sending a cheque to Data ProtectionAs a matter of policy, the Trust does not share its address list with anyone nor would it divulge any data without first asking permission. Should you like to be removed from the mailing list, please advise us at:-
The Petersham Trust, 18 Breamwater Gardens, Ham, TW10 7SQ |
