Chairman’s Meadow

The meadow last summer

ERA has been pleased to work with to work with Trotton with Chithurst Parish Council (PC) on the design and development of Chairman’s Meadow on a plot of land at the junction of Dumpford Lane and Trotton Road in the Dumpford area of Trotton. The meadow was the brainchild of Chris Hodgson, ex-chairman of the Parish Council, who sadly died before his time in 2015. A collection taken at his funeral has covered much of the cost of this project so far. The PC applied to WSCC for and was given permission to plant and manage this area, which belongs to the Highways Department.

The PC also received a VE75 grant from Chichester District Council which was used to buy an elm tree resistant to Dutch Elm Disease. This is doing very well and should grow into a fine specimen. We also plan to plant a tree in remembrance of Chris (to be chosen by his family), as well as a small collection of fruit trees. There will be two grassy areas with seating and three areas of wildflower meadow.

Although the global pandemic has slowed down progress in the meadow, last summer saw the first flowery area burst into fabulous bloom - as shown in the photograph above - and the first grassy area was seeded in the autumn. Bit by bit this long term project is coming together.