Cooper's Meadow

A stretch of urban chalkstream and the adjoining water meadow has been restored to create a space for wildlife and a pleasant environment for people to enjoy.  This meadow is home to a wide range of plants, insects and animals and provides food for many birds.  Conservation grazing helps to preserve this diversity.
 
It is intermittently grazed by either Belted Galloways or Wiltshire Horn sheep provided by a local farmer.  Belties are from Galloway in South West Scotland and are hardy and quiet and will eat rough old pasture.  Animals may spend a few weeks here in spring, summer and autumn helping to prevent nettles, thistles and meadowsweet from dominating the meadow.

This is part of a management plan to increase the number and diversity of wild flowers by encouraging the return of a traditional flower-rich water meadow.  Several sections have been re-seeded with a wild grass and flower mix.

The site is managed by Marlborough Town Council on a lease from Wiltshire Council.

Final project report


ARK welcomes Marlborough Town Council’s assurances that grazing will continue on Cooper’s Meadow in 2015. 
We look forward to working with them to ensure that the river and meadow are managed to maximise the site’s biodiversity and wildlife value, whilst remaining a lovely place for people  to visit.

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