The fields that we use for Highbridge Community Farm are next to some historic water meadows and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, also owned by our landlord, Mr Henry Russell. Lyndsey runs Highbridge Conservation Group. Here, she explains how it came about and how you can find out more.
By Lyndsey Rowe
I run Highbridge Conservation Group. I ran the Legacy Festival at the farm from 2016 to 2021. (Sorry for all the noise and disruption but we raised 40 thousand pounds to support people with brain cancer!) Henry was so kind and helpful and over that time and I saw how much he does for so many people as well as running the farm.
Late in 2021, we were chatting and he told me about the meadows and the SSSI and that he didn’t have the time to maintain it as he would like and that other similar sites have groups of volunteers to help. He had been so kind helping me raise funds for my late son’s charity that I thought I would do something to help and say thank you and Highbridge Conservation Group was started in January 2022.
We started by clearing the banks of the stream to provide better habitat for the endangered Southern Damsel Fly, the reason that the meadows are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and began work on the 17th century water meadows clearing channels and flooding them to provide early grass for the cattle and a better habitat for wetland birds. You may have also seen us conducting surveys of the flora and fauna, working in the woodland and in January 2023 we planted a British native hedgerow of one thousand trees across the river.
We have some great plans for the future including a visitor centre, facilities for local school groups, bird watching and day workshops. I hope you can join us.
Find more about Highbridge Conservation Group on their Facebook page or contact them at HighbridgeConservationGroup@btinternet.com.