Petersham Trust Newsletters

July 2004

Message from Graham Ball, Chair

The Petersham Trust continues to move steadily towards achieving its goals. The designs to renovate and restore the historic Milking Parlour have been finalised and the essential repairs to the roof and main supporting beams are underway. Hopefully, planning permission for phase 2 & 3 will be granted before long. The Trust has benefited from three successful fund raising events, namely the Petersham Open Gardens place weekend, the Chris Brasher Memorial Fun Run and Memorial Dinner. Heartfelt thanks to all who helped and who participated. The Trust is well on the way to achieving its aims of enhancing and improving the Meadows while protecting them for future generations but your support is still needed to ensure that the Trust clears the remaining hurdles.

Chris Brasher Memorial Run.

The Run was held on 20 June in Richmond Park, with all proceeds going to the Petersham Trust. The race, started by Sir Roger Bannister, attracting 4,300 runners in ideal weather with many runners telling the Trust it was the most enjoyable and best organised Run in which they had ever taken part. Special thanks are due to the Trust's supporters who acted as Traffic marshals. The sight of so many people running for pure enjoyment, and plainly having a great time while taking part, would have gladdened Chris Brasher's heart and was a fitting memorial to him. The money raised is still being counted and so no firm figures are yet available.

Chris Brasher Memorial Dinner

The Dinner, held on the eve of the race, also benefited the Petersham Trust. Among those present from the many strands of Chris Brasher's life were Lord Coe, Lord Chataway and Sir Roger Bannister.

The Petersham Open Gardens Spring Bank Holiday Weekend.

This was a great success with over 1,100 visitors over the two days. The Trust specially thanks the owners of the nine gardens which covered a wide diversity of size and approach but were all of great interest and an obvious source of pride to the owners. The Trust is trying to persuade the home owners to open their gardens again next year. More information will follow in the next newsletter.

Milking Parlour.

The Trust intends to renovate the Milking Parlour in three phases with the timing of the building programme entirely dependent upon the level of donations received. Planning permission is being sought for Phases 2 & 3. The plans mean that the parlour will be restored to a similar condition of 120 years ago. The Trustees intend to use the Milking Parlour as a low key education centre where school children can learn of traditional farming methods and receive an insight into Richmond's rich agricultural past. Visits, given the location, will be by appointment only. There are sufficient funds on hand to carry out the essential repairs and the Trustees are hopeful that its actual and potential donors will continue to support the Trust to enable the project to be completed quickly. Phase 1 covering essential repairs to the roof and supporting beams, not subject to planning permission, has, already, been put in hand. The total cost of renovating and fitting out the Milking Parlour will be about £300,000 with many of the existing features such as roof tiles, windows and mains supplies needing to be replaced.

The Herd.

Our ten cows returned with eight calves this year including twins and they are enjoying a more lush grass cover than was possible last year due to the long dry spells. Hopefully, this will mean that we will be able to keep the herd on the land until well into the autumn.

Tree Strategy.

The Trustees are negotiating with the Government backed Living Spaces fund to obtain the capital needed to regenerate its tree stock and carry out the urgent repairs needed to the neglected hedgerows. The plan is to complete the work during the autumn 2004 planting season. Besides planting landmark trees in the main field, the Trustees intend to plant fruit trees in the Orchard field opposite Petersham Nurseries. All these works will enhance the view from Richmond Hill in line with the Trust's aims.

Land Management

For the first time for some years, the Trustees opened the sluice gates in the field over the winter months. This allowed the Meadows to be flooded with the high tides. The fast draining soil quickly took the water away. The Trust has made considerable efforts over the last two years, to deal with the fast encroaching weeds and thistles that took hold during the previous regime when the land was overgrazed. There is much less thistle cover this year and the Trust is now removing them only by hand. The Meadows have been rolled and harrowed again this spring ensuring the land remains in good condition. There is heartening evidence that the flood meadow flora is slowly beginning to return.

The National Trust / Arcadia

The Petersham Trust continues to work closely with both organisations with all parties having common aims. The Petersham Trust greatly benefits from being able to call up the National Trust's expertise and advice.

Computer Mouse Mats.

The Trust still has stocks of its very attractive computer mouse mats showing the herd grazing in the meadows at £7.00 plus £0.50 postage and packing. A worthwhile gift for yourself and others.

Data Protection

As 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 anyone like to be removed from the mailing list, please advise us at:-

The Petersham Trust, 18 Breamwater Gardens, Ham, TW10 7SQ
Telephone/Fax: 0208 255 6628
E-mail address:- info@petershammeadows.org