From: 159 Spring 2024
The committee thought a periodic update on current issues affecting Port Meadow might be of interest to the Freemen. Please do feedback on this as it helps us determine future content.
The Freemen are an active and committed stakeholder in the management of Port Meadow. While it is owned and managed day to day by the City Council, the Freemen remain Beneficial Owners, with our ancient grazing and fishing rights.
The following are highlights of an update provided in discussion with the Park Ranger, the excellent Julian Cooper:
1. Management plan: a management plan for Port Meadow and the adjacent Wolvercote Common is needed because the combined site is a SSSI (Special Site of Scientific Interest) as well as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. While drafted, progress to complete it has faltered since COVID, but we are assured by the Ranger it will be reinvigorated in April.
2. Interpretation Boards: boards highlighting key natural and historic features on the site, to be situated at the Godstow and Walton Well car park ends, are finally fully funded after a delay and a significant inflationary rise. Our committee has previously commented on the design and agreed a contribution to the City Council in 2022. Ten local councillors have made up the shortfall from Ward budgets. The Freemen’s logo will be on them and hopefully they will be in place by the Autumn.
3. Livestock: there are 38 horses on the site, some of which belonged to Commoners. 270 cattle are due to arrive by the summer.
4. Sewage & bathing: Thames Water continues to discharge sewage into the Thames upstream. Mill Stream by the bathing area was considered unsafe to swim in. Pollution in the Thames and in floodwater on the meadow does dilute quickly downstream. The Council will be clearing up the meadow as best they can following the recession of the floods.
5. Bird flu: there had been two or three instances. The flooding has led to fewer dogs being walked on the meadow and scaring the birds.
6. Port Meadow conference: our Chairman was one of a group of five speakers who gave talks to this inaugural event on 17 February at The Plough pub. Topics covered were birds, flora, the day to day management, history pre 1900 and the aviation story. Hopefully there will be a follow up!