Cleeve Water Meadow
Mend the Gap has supported Cleeve Water Meadow in Streatley with nature enhancements and improvements to onsite access. This will enable the site to be better managed and support access from occasional small groups. This area includes several acres of the special Loddon Lily which is a red data book plant species found in wet places along the Thames Valley. The white flowers appear in the spring, looking like outsized snowdrops.
The Project
Cleeve Water Meadow is located alongside the River Thames on the edge of Streatley. The meadow has been in Higher Level Stewardship since 2010 with an agreed programme of mowing, scrub control and tree management. It is an area of species rich grassland which is regularly inundated by the river. The site includes high-value indicator species including Loddon lily, water mint, meadow rue, meadow sweet, flag iris and loosestrife.
Mend the Gap was approached for financial support to install a new bridge and manage the willow scrub, allowing the meadow to be accessed more easily so that work to maintain it can take place.
Completion
The work has allowed the meadow to be accessed by machinery, so it can be managed correctly. The Loddon Lilies are also looking lovely in April and are visible from the Thames Path.
