The Duckworth Worcestershire Trust (DWT) is delighted to announce that it has secured the long-term stewardship and security of the iconic riverside Chapter Meadows site through its sale to local philanthropist Tom Greenway and his publishing company 3dtotal Publishing. For over 25 years Chapter Meadows has been in the hands of the DWT and in this time the trust has undertaken work to enhance and maintain its ecological value and has provided infrastructure for the people of Worcester to utilise and enjoy this important greenspace. Due to some significant challenges over the last few years, the Trust has had to close down some of its operations and it has been very keen to secure a positive future for the site. Tom is very keen to carry on the legacy of the DWT and recognizes how important this site is to the people of Worcester and to nature. Tom is seeking to continue the environmentally sensitive grazing regime at the site and he is looking at how he can enhance the site's ecological value and public enjoyment by working alongside local volunteer groups such as the Worcester Environmental Group (WEG).
Beatrice Duckworth, the wife of the late Cecil Duckworth, founder of the trust said: “We were pleased to sell the site to Tom, as like Cecil, he is a successful local businessman wanting to make a positive impact for nature and people, we looked at a number of options and we feel that the site is in a very safe pair of hands for the future.”.
In addition to securing a safe future for the site, the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust has committed to distribute all of the funds received from the sale to local projects and community groups. In the next few months, the Trust plans to set up a community grant scheme offering grants that will focus on enhancing the natural environment and promoting sustainable living. The trust sees this as a positive way to continue contributing to environmental improvements and create a lasting legacy for future generations.
Background on the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust
The Duckworth Worcestershire Trust is a local charity, that was set up in 1998 by the late Cecil Duckworth, a local businessman and philanthropist. For many years the Trust has played a key role in the city conserving and delivering environmental improvements including owning and managing the key natural assets in the city (Chapter Meadows).
Background on Tom Greenway/3dtotal Publishing
3dtotal Publishing was founded in Worcester in 1999 and now employs 17 staff. Their books and magazines are sold worldwide and focus on Art and Design. The company has always had a sustainable and altruistic approach and their current pledge is to give 50% of net profits to good causes. So far over £1mill has been given mostly to projects abroad and they are incredibly pleased that their first substantial local project is to become the new owners of the Chapter Meadows.
Background on Chapter Meadows
The Duckworth Worcestershire Trust (DWT) purchased the area known as Chapter Meadows in 1998 for the benefit of the residents of Worcester City and since that time it has managed the site to maintain and enhance its ecological value and allowed open access for the benefit of the public.
Under the ownership of DWT the trust has undertaken a programme of restoration projects. Work has included ditch clearance, replanting of native hedgerows along original boundaries, and installation of bridges, stock-proof fencing, access gates, and a flood-level indicator. The overarching management strategy for managing the grassland is however based upon conservation grazing and hay cuts which maintains the diversity of this species-rich hay meadow grassland. Over the last century, it is estimated that around 97% of lowland hay meadows have been lost highlighting the importance of safeguarding this valued habitat.
In the South Worcestershire Development Plan the Chapter Meadows site is designated as a Site of Local Wildlife Importance, this reflects its importance for wildlife at a district level.
The site provides one of the largest areas of publicly accessible greenspaces within the city and its location compliments and aligns with the vision of the Worcester City Centre Masterplan. The management of this site for nature conservation rather than more intensive agricultural uses provides for a more robust landscape that is more resilient to climate change and the increasing risk of the urban heat island effect.
The land uses of the site are also subject to a protective covenant stating that the site can only be used for agriculture, horticulture and recreation only.
Chapter Meadows were owned by the Priory of Worcester from at least the 13th century and were given to the Dean and Chapter of Worcester Cathedral by Henry VIII in 1542 during the Reformation. The lands were, up until the early 19th century, part of the Manor of Hardwick. The meadows were passed from Worcester Priory into the ownership of the Dean and Chapter of Worcester Cathedral after the dissolution. Chapter Meadows is a surviving remnant of historic flood meadows that would have been carefully managed to provide hay crops and grazing. The earliest mention of the importance of the meadows came from a reference in a document dated AD904, which recorded meadowland as lying beside the River Severn opposite the “burh”. Throughout history these meadows have been harvested, providing Romans, Norman Monks and subsequently Worcester Cathedral with hay. Once cut, the land would be grazed by cattle for the rest of the summer and autumn. This traditional management, which DWT has continued since taking ownership of the site in 1998, has allowed bird, flower, insect and mammal inhabitants to thrive across the 12ha (30ac) site.