Biss Meadows, Trowbridge, Wiltshire

The idea of creating the Friends of Biss Meadows Country Park was initiated in late 2008 jointly by Derek Adams, Chair of Trowbridge Neighbourhood Partnership, and James McDonald, Chair of the Longmeadow Tenants and Residents Association. Over 13 residents plus representatives from West Wiltshire District Council, the Town Council, Trowbridge Community Area Future, Lavender Fields Residents Association, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and CERA met in December to discuss the idea.

There was sufficient support for a core group of supporters to meet over the coming months to formally establish the Friends of Biss Meadows Country Park by way of a legal structure, constitution and management committee. These were approved at the first AGM held on 17 March 2009, the officers being: Roy Jones (Chair), James McDonald (Vice Chair), Jacky Good (Secretary) and Lloyd Gosden (Treasurer).

The current aims of the group are to:

To protect and conserve, promote and enhance the natural environment of the Country Park and encourage others to join us in this work, so that the value of the Country Park and its wildlife is preserved and protected for future generations
To endeavour and encourage Wiltshire Council (WC) to give the Country Park a Local Nature Reserve Status (LNR)

Over the coming months the Steering Group will be identifying a range of activities:

Events and publicity to raise awareness of the Friends of Biss Meadows and to increase membership.
Projects to enhance the nature of Biss Meadows, building on the Action Plan created by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust in 2006.
Forging links with Councils and other organisations who can provide expertise and support fund raising initiatives.
Creating a junior Wildlife Watch Group to encourage children to learn about nature and engage in conservation.
Engaging with schools to link Biss Meadows with curriculum activities.
Fund raising, including grants and sponsorship, to support the projects.

See panel on the right for the current officers.

See panel below right for minutes of meetings, AGMs and other organisational documents.

If you would like to help the Friends of Biss Meadows or simply find out more, then please contact the committee or see the Be a Friend page or the Volunteer page or go straight to the Become a Friend Form. There is no subscription to become a friend.