Menu
31/07/2003
Grant to preserve 'best view' in Britain
Ancient water meadows in Avon Valley will be preserved by a £100,000 grant over the next ten years. The were voted best view in Britain in a Country Life magazine poll in 2002.
The meadows, made famous in John Constable's painting 'Salisbury Cathedral - A View from the Water Meadow', is managed by the Harnham Water Meadows Trust and owned by the Trust and the Dean and Chapter of Salisbury Cathedral.
The Trust has already cleaned some of the four kilometres of ditches and channels and is continuing to restore old sluices and hatches which enable the control of water around the fields.
The Trust has now signed an agreement with Defra that means it will receive 80% of the approved restoration costs for bridges, sluices and culverts. The funding also includes help with land management costs.
The new grant could also resurrect the old practice of 'drowning' the meadow. It will encourage the existing wildlife such as duck, snipe, geese and little egrets to continue to use the water meadows.
Conservation Minister Ben Bradshaw said during his visit: "Sustainable development and protection of our countryside is at the heart of Defra's business. We, at Defra, are keen to support the traditional management of these water meadows. They are a reminder of an historic farming system, which was once so common in Wiltshire."
The meadows, made famous in John Constable's painting 'Salisbury Cathedral - A View from the Water Meadow', is managed by the Harnham Water Meadows Trust and owned by the Trust and the Dean and Chapter of Salisbury Cathedral.
The Trust has already cleaned some of the four kilometres of ditches and channels and is continuing to restore old sluices and hatches which enable the control of water around the fields.
The Trust has now signed an agreement with Defra that means it will receive 80% of the approved restoration costs for bridges, sluices and culverts. The funding also includes help with land management costs.
The new grant could also resurrect the old practice of 'drowning' the meadow. It will encourage the existing wildlife such as duck, snipe, geese and little egrets to continue to use the water meadows.
Conservation Minister Ben Bradshaw said during his visit: "Sustainable development and protection of our countryside is at the heart of Defra's business. We, at Defra, are keen to support the traditional management of these water meadows. They are a reminder of an historic farming system, which was once so common in Wiltshire."
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 January 2014
Burst Water Main Causes Chaos
A burst water main has caused considerable flooding in Glasgow. A statement from Scottish Water said: "An issue with a faulty valve which regulates pressure has resulted in burst water mains in Mount Stuart Street, Shawlands; Cowcaddens and Duke St at the junction of East Wellington Street and Shettleston Road.
Burst Water Main Causes Chaos
A burst water main has caused considerable flooding in Glasgow. A statement from Scottish Water said: "An issue with a faulty valve which regulates pressure has resulted in burst water mains in Mount Stuart Street, Shawlands; Cowcaddens and Duke St at the junction of East Wellington Street and Shettleston Road.
07 November 2003
Water price rise proposals 'unacceptable for customers'
WaterVoice has today described companies' proposals for billing as "unacceptable to customers in their current form", and called on water companies, regulators and the government to "think about customers' priorities" in terms of value for money.
Water price rise proposals 'unacceptable for customers'
WaterVoice has today described companies' proposals for billing as "unacceptable to customers in their current form", and called on water companies, regulators and the government to "think about customers' priorities" in terms of value for money.
27 September 2006
Teenager shot dead in Nottingham
A murder investigation has been launched after a 17-year-old boy was shot dead in the middle of a shopping parade in Nottingham. Police attending reports of a firearms incident at the Bridgeway shopping centre in the Meadows area of the city, just after midday on Tuesday, found Nathan Williams lying on the ground near a bookmakers.
Teenager shot dead in Nottingham
A murder investigation has been launched after a 17-year-old boy was shot dead in the middle of a shopping parade in Nottingham. Police attending reports of a firearms incident at the Bridgeway shopping centre in the Meadows area of the city, just after midday on Tuesday, found Nathan Williams lying on the ground near a bookmakers.
11 August 2008
Water Companies Submit Water Pricing Proposals
The UK's largest water and wastewater services company, Thames Water, has announced it expected its bills to rise by about 3% a year above inflation. However, the company said its £6.5bn investment plan would be the largest spending programme carried out by a UK water company.
Water Companies Submit Water Pricing Proposals
The UK's largest water and wastewater services company, Thames Water, has announced it expected its bills to rise by about 3% a year above inflation. However, the company said its £6.5bn investment plan would be the largest spending programme carried out by a UK water company.
24 September 2015
New Suicide Bereavement Booklet Published
A booklet has been published using the experiences of people bereaved by suicide to help others affected by someone taking their own life. Public Health England (PHE) said that suicide has far-reaching effects among friends, family, colleagues and the wider community.
New Suicide Bereavement Booklet Published
A booklet has been published using the experiences of people bereaved by suicide to help others affected by someone taking their own life. Public Health England (PHE) said that suicide has far-reaching effects among friends, family, colleagues and the wider community.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy. Also mainly dry at first this evening but then occasional outbreaks of rain developing overnight. Light southwest winds, and staying mild. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
