The meadow was acquired on the 21st March 1986 from its last owner Mr. N G Perkins (hence the local name of Perkins field), and from the time of purchase through to 1993, the only work that happened in the meadow was a twice yearly flail cutting of the grass to maintain a fire barrier between the field and the works. This effectively created a very dense thatch that prevented any form of growth occurring.
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Employee involvement with the meadow started in 1993, by clearing all the accumulated rubbish in the river, clearing away any hidden hazards in the long grass, and then cutting the grass to make walkways, this was done with own lawn mowers from home. We did all this before work in the mornings and during lunch breaks. A hard core team of about 8 people helped whenever they could.
As the seasons passed by, we began to create lists of what had been seen, birds, mammals, plants, insects and it dawned on us that we could create not just somewhere that the employees could enjoy during their lunch breaks but we could actually encourage wildlife.
We were able to keep an eye out for any available building materials or services and direct them towards projects that we had ideas for, for instance, a digger had been hired (for a full day) to dig footings for a new office, the driver had finished the job early, and was about to leave site, I was able to redirect him to the river to dig out a deep water pool below the weir and to bank up the mud to make a kingfisher bank. |
Using some left over insulated roof sheeting, we then made a bird hide over looking the kingfisher bank. Incidentally, the kingfishers raised 10 youngsters in the first three years!
To broadcast our efforts to the workforce, we produce a small A5 booklet called the “Environmental News”. This contains all the information of what the Company is doing for the environment within the factory, plans for the future for the field and all the sightings lists of birds, butterflies, plants and mammals. It was at this time that we submitted a request to the directors to have the annual flail cut changed to an annual cut and bale of the hay, this was granted along with a very kind donation from one of the directors of a sit on and ride power mower.
As the field became busier with 100 plus employees walking, jogging, power walking or just enjoying a stroll away from work, reports started coming in of Roe and Muntjac deer cavorting across the field going to the river for a thirst quenching drink.
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Our forward plans were changed to include a pond on the wood edge as a water supply and another hide to overlook the pond, together with a request to the directors to sponsor a group of trees to be planted across the field.
This was granted and 35 x 5mtr tall native trees plus a group of 15 hazels were duly planted across the field giving a safe undisturbed wildlife corridor from the river to the woods. |
Another digger, another project and this time we built a 40ft by 15ft pond overlooked by a new hide, while other work included a meandering path (covered with wood chippings) formed through the lower wood with bench seats now and again. 5 picnic tables were erected near the river plus a large notice board.
Over 50 bird boxes of varying different types have been erected in the meadow and car park (look at the CCTV camera posts) and almost without exception they are all used each year. Those upturned clay flower pots make excellent bumble bee homes, Hedgehogs are using those small square boxes and under corrugated iron sheets you should see slow worms, grass snakes, shrews, mice and toads.
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Both foxes and badgers are also regularly seen, as are rabbits, weasels, and the deer with their fawns. Each winter we have Little Egrets. On one very special morning 13 were sighted and with them the first ever recorded sighting of a Cattle Egret in Buckinghamshire. Bird numbers are now up to 74 which includes Grasshopper Warbler, Hobby and Water Rail. |
What happened after we started cutting and baling the field? With no help at all, the field bloomed producing 93 different species of wild flower, including a small group of Pyramidal Orchids; coupled to this we had an influx of butterflies including the Marbled White.
As you know, the combination of all the recycling projects, the energy saving, your involvement and efforts, and the meadow work all helped towards Martin-Baker being awarded the Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development.
A Queen’s Award is not awarded lightly, as one of its many requirements is doing something truly exceptional or, as in this case, you have to prove strong and active commitment to high levels of improvement for at least two, and preferably more years. Having won this prestigious award, it was reported in local and national press, and we started to get requests from interested residents and local gardening clubs to come and see our efforts. We also had several requests from other companies to visit the factory, one of which (allegedly) was the result of them visiting somebody living in Downing Street!
Another visitor you may have heard of, The Natural History Museum, wanted to do some specialized research to study certain insects, and came to look at the meadow and the river habit, which met their needs, but they needed to catch the insects at night!
So far they have camped out (with some interested MBA bodies) three times last year coming near the river to trap Caddis flies and moths, and we await their reports.
All of our visitors who have seen the works appreciate the efforts everyone makes in recycling, which leads to numerous and continued compliments about our efforts. Over the years we have had several letters from visiting groups as well.
Denham Village Gardening Club said, “Denham’s best kept secret”; Higher Denham Gardening Club said “an idyllic paradise behind a factory so close to London” and the Amersham branch of Gardening “Which” who visited last year said the meadow is “a gem alongside the River Misbourne only 30mins from the centre of London”. In keeping with the tradition of naming things after their owners, “Martin’s Meadow” had over 300 visitors last year.
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To bring you right up to date for 2007/08, The Pyramidal Orchids now number over 400, (in fact we counted 430 in bloom at one time) and 28 Bee Orchids appeared for the first time, which aroused a lot of local interest.
Another kingfisher bank has been built and 500 Bluebells (English) have been planted along the line of the walkway by the Misbourne. A false/dummy raptor nesting platform has been raised high up into one of the tall trees at the far end of the meadow, and hopefully one of our local Buzzards or a passing Red Kite will take up residence, so literally watch this space! |
While doing the annual job of cleaning out nest boxes, I peered into one box only to see a pair of large eyes and ears unexpectedly staring back at me, I almost fell off my ladder! We have at least two Glis Glis (Edible Dormouse) in residence!
Also, The Environment Agency who have visited us and walked the river over the last 2 years or so are promising to take some dramatic action. They will attempt to improve the water flow, electrically fish the section, and count invertebrates, all of which will contribute to improving the health and biodiversity in the river and the meadow.
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STOP PRESS – a rare creature, believed to be “Ratty” of “Wind in the Willows” fame has finally been sighted and photographed. |