Port Meadow Matters

Author: Peter Smith

A sad note in December was the resignation of Julian Cooper, the excellent Park Ranger whose responsibilities included Port Meadow. He was in post for over 12 years and has moved on to work for BBOWT in West Berkshire. A replacement has not yet been confirmed.

The Meadow has been significantly flooded for most of the winter. The current issues highlighted by the Council’s outsourced ODS Parks team are included in the following:

Livestock

Last year there were 270 cattle. It is hoped that the graziers will return this year for a new season with at least this number, as it’s important that the meadow is naturally grazed as much as possible for ecological reasons. There are 38 horses grazing.

Management

Due to recent under grazing it will be necessary to mow the meadow at some point to artificially encourage the survival of the rare and endangered Creeping Marshwort plant. This artificially represents grazing of taller competing grasses, and will be done under the direction of renowned ecologist Dr Judy Webb BEM. Port Meadow is one of the very few locations in Europe where the plant survives and the site is legally protected for this reason. There have been no significant issues with birds this past year, but there have been occasions of bottle diggers damaging the southern end of the meadow where there is an old refuse tip.

The ongoing sewage overspill situation with Thames Water is being monitored.

Management Plan

Our Chair has agreed to chair (possibly jointly with the Wolvercote Commoners Committee Chair) the existing Management Group tasked with overseeing the management of the Meadow and Wolvercote Common. A sub-group, also to be initially chaired by our Chair, is seeking to resurrect the development of a Management Plan providing historical context, strategic objectives and practical operational management activities, risks and priorities. A lot of work was done on that pre-Covid but stalled.

Signage

The long awaited information/interpretation boards at Walton Well Road and Godstow Road car park have not really progressed. Staff shortages suggest it’s unlikely they will be in place this year sadly, and there is now a further funding gap due largely to inflation. The council are considering how best this may be bridged.

Parking at Godstow Road Car Park

The process for Freemen seeking exemption from charges seems to be working, albeit only about six Freemen have so far sought it.

Spring Horse Racing Event

The current City Sheriff is keen on trying to get a racing themed event in April/May, but flooding has prevented the mowing of the old race course before the mandatory bird nesting season began. Our Chair is keen to support anything that raises awareness of this aspect of the meadow’s history, so we’ll see what is possible this year. Guided walks of the old course might be an option, as several remnants still remain, or a formal illustrated talk held locally.

Park Ranger Post

Following the departure of Julian Cooper, the post has been advertised by ODS, with a closing date for applications of 24th March. At the time of going to print we are not aware of the outcome, but expect it to take several months to get a replacement in post, assuming a suitable candidate is identified. The important post covers a large range of duties and sites, not least Port Meadow. We miss Julian’s dedication and his enthusiasm for the meadow.