The Coneyberry
Millennium Green is an important 8-acre breathing space for all who enjoy
the countryside. It was set up,
as the name suggests, for the new millennium with grant aid from the
National Lottery fund and the Countryside Commission.
All of the initial work was carried out by local people with much of
the paperwork involved being done by Mrs Beverley Field.
We owe a huge debt of gratitude to these volunteers, and the Parish
Council, for their foresight and dedication to the project.
The Green is run by a
Charitable Trust. The Trustees
are: Liz Ellis (Chair);
Bob Patchett
(Communications Officer); David Lodge;
Jason Chandler; Christine Warburton
(Vice Chair & Treasurer);
Olivia Lee; Sue Wadham
(Secretary) Contact details: 01827 373814 or
suewadham@aol.com
The Green is positioned
alongside the Churchyard and stretches across to Chestnut Lane.
The site is divided into two areas: the north field, previously known
as Near Coney Gray, and the south field, formerly known as Broomy Close.
It was decided that Broomy Close would be levelled to provide a
playing area and that Near Coney Gray would become wild flower meadows.
Before Broomy Close could be levelled the ancient ridge-and-furrow
had to be protected with a membrane and an inert filling material known as ‘hoggin’.
An archaeological survey
was carried out by Birmingham University in March 1999 and concluded that no
remains existed in the areas to be developed.
The Green continues to
thrive as a special place to sit, walk (with or without a dog) or watch
children busy on the play equipment.
The two copses, the pond, hedgerows and wild flower meadows encourage
a diverse collection of flora and fauna.
The benches provide a place to observe these at close quarters and to
admire the spectacular views of the Mease Valley and beyond to the four
counties surrounding Clifton Campville.
All of the maintenance
work is carried out by volunteers, in the main the Trustees with help on
working days from villagers.
Occasionally we call in specialist help with the trees.
The Parish Council generously supports the work of
the Trust with a grant every year but our main fund raising activity is the
annual Country Fair on the second Saturday in June.
This is becoming a hugely popular date on the calendar and people
come from all over the Midlands area to take part in the fun.
The Fair includes a wide range of traditional stalls,
with emphasis on local produce; lots of animals, a fun dog show, children’s
races and games, steam engine rides, vintage tractor and motor cycle parades
as well as refreshment marquees including hot and cold drinks bar, home made
cakes and cream teas, as well as hot dogs, burgers and bacon sandwiches – all made
and served by people in the village.
Other activities the Trustees organise include Horse
Shows, kite-making and flying days, bird box making days and days making
bird feeders. If you have any
ideas for activities on the Green, especially those suitable for children,
please contact us.
Ongoing work includes improving the wild flower meadows – we make hay from this area to encourage the growth of the flowers, clearing the footpath; weeding around the recently planted hedge and keeping the pond area clear.
Safety Management policy Volunteer Management policy Guide for Dog Owners Friends of the Green Newsletter April 2018
Use by Outside Organisations Quarterly Safety Inspection Report