Babington Meadow needs your help

Support needed now for Penallt’s “best kept secret”!

Recent years have proved difficult for funding and arranging activities in Babington Meadow in Penallt and it has been hard to regain momentum losses suffered during COVID times. A generational change needs to be faced too, as many of the organising committee members (including Alastair Robertson as Committee Chairman) have now served 20 years or more and agree that they need to refresh the team as vacancies arise.

The Meadow continues to have great support from TUCC who are its trustees. They have no debts or financial liabilities, but still need to raise around £3,000 to cover incidental costs and stay in the black. This will include things such as tree lopping and maintaining boundary fencing. More importantly, they need to develop their activity programme to make sure that all age groups in the village benefit from this wonderful resource. This is as much about villagers helping with new ideas as it is about hands on help with three or four events each year, such as the Easter Egg Hunt.

The grounds maintenance programme is robust and our original planting, designed to meet the highest ecological standards, including several species unique to the Lower Wye Valley, is now becoming mature and full of wildflowers and shady trees. 2021 saw a big investment in  a Zipwire which has proved to be a very popular. We also plan village team events to help with things like bramble cutting, hedging and pruning.

Alastair writes: “If you would like to help us either by joining our management committee and helping with fundraising or signing up as a helper at scheduled events, please get in touch with Alastair Robertson (Chair) on 01600 715781 or capelpentwyn@gmail.com.