Mawdesley’s Millennium Green

Introduction

   Opened with great effort, excitement and celebrations in June 2000, the Millennium Green has been a major asset to the village ever since. Not only is it a place where everyone can enjoy rest, recreation and nature, it’s also become an attractive venue for many outdoor events and, all in all, has made a significant contribution to the community life of Mawdesley, for almost a decade. For more details on the Green’s facilities, fundraising events, development and management (solely by volunteer), please contact Rod Collins on 01704 822781, or you can email us here.

Read the Chairman's Annual Report here.

Facilities

  The Green covers an area of 4 acres, including 3 acres of meadowland and the remainder comprising of woodland, access paths and many other features.

Notable among these are the following :

• New nature trail around the wildflower meadow
• Kiddies play area
• Skatepark
• Kicking wall area with a basket ball stand
• Various seats and picnic tables
• 2 BBQ grills, and
• 2 shelters - for the rare occasion when it rains.

There are also plenty of open grassy areas where people can let off steam or have a quiet picnic. In fact, there’s plenty of room for everyone.

Organisation and Development

  Currently led by Rod Collins, the Green is managed by a charitable trust, on behalf of the village. The land use and management are strictly controlled by a Trust Deed, invoked by our main sponsor Natural England, to ensure that the land can never be sold or used for any commercial purpose. In effect, the land belongs to the community for ever, as a green space for rest, recreation and the enjoyment of nature.

The Trust comprises 9 General Trustees and 3 Nominated Trustees, with tenures of currently no more than 4 years each. Supporting the Trust is Mawdesley 2000, an enthusiastic events and fundraising group, together with the Green Care Team, which is another grouping of committed residents who look after the Green, organise Volunteers Mornings (2^nd Saturday in the month) and help with its sympathetic development.

  The current cost of keeping the Green safe and attractive is around £5,500 a year, spread between contract maintenance, insurances, repairs and consumables. So far the Parish Council has kindly provide almost £3,300 of this, with the remainder coming from various fundraising activities, including a 50:50 Club, Open Gardens Day, Jazz Concert, Bonfire Night, Family Fun Day and various events held in the Village Hall. Depending on the level of demand and fundraising support, the Trust is also keen to accommodate any new facilities that are likely to be sustainable and sympathetic with the aims of the Trust Deed.

Forthcoming Events

  The Green is responsible for several ‘traditional’ events. Notable among these are our Family Fun Day, Jazz Concert, Quiz Night and Bonfire Night. The Green is also available for other local voluntary groups to use, at the discretion of the Trust, and we would like to see more of these events taking place.

  Also, in 2010, the Green will be celebrating its 10^th Birthday, when we hope you will all get involved and help us make this the most memorable year, so far.

Please see the events calendar for the latest updates.

Sustainability

  Without a committed band of local volunteers, together with the active support of the wider community, the Green could soon turn into overgrown, impenetrable, scrub land.  However, it’s just this dependence on our local community that should ensure its long-term future. As long as people in Mawdesley care about the Green and it continues to be relevant to their needs, its future will be assured.  Equally, the Green needs you - to make good use of it, to enjoy it, to join in the fundraising from time to time, and to help us make it even better in the years ahead.