

Events & Courses 2023
Please scroll down to see the events the Marches Meadow Group are running or taking part in this year.
Please contact us to book or if you have any questions.
Sunday 14th May
Marches Meadow Group AGM, 2-4pm
Venue: The Cock Inn at Hanwood, SY5 8LY.
After the AGM business (max one hour), the guest speaker will be Dr. Lynn Besenyei, who worked with Prof. Ian Trueman at Wolverhampton University on management of species-rich meadows in urban landscaping schemes. She became a senior lecturer at Wolverhampton Uni. specialising in restoration ecology and is now a self-employed ecologist. All welcome!
Saturday 3rd June, 10am
Visit to Severn Gorge Countryside Trust Meadows
Venue: Darby Road, Coalbrookdale, Telford TF8 7EP
John Brayford (aka JP), Chief Executive of the Severn Gorge Countryside Trust, will lead a walk around the meadows managed by SGCT. Meet at the Countryside Trust offices (address below). The visit is expected to take 3-4 hours, so bring a picnic lunch. Note that there are some relatively steep climbs; wear good walking boots and bring water. Booking essential.
Saturday 24th June, 10.30am
Visit to Westhope Manor Meadows
Venue: Westhope College, Westhope, Craven Arms SY7 9JL
We hope the owner of the manor and founder of Westhope College, Anne Dyer, will give a talk ‘Wild about Westhope’ before we eat a picnic (bring your own food, tea and coffee provided). There is a marquee in the event of rain or blazing sun! After lunch spend as long as you like looking around the grounds of the College.
Booking essential.
(postponed from April - now to be a date in July, TBC)
St. George’s Meadow Opening, Pontesbury SY5 0QD
Celebrate St George's Day with the opening of the meadow created by Marches Meadow Group in partnership with St. George’s Parochial Church Council.(GR SJ402059, What3Words: homecare.clay.tucked)
Saturday 1st July
Visit to Rob Lee’s Wildside Meadow Plant Nursery
Albrightlee House, Albrightlee, Shrewsbury SY4 4EE
Celebrate National Meadows Day with a visit to see the stunning single-species meadow plant plots at the Wildside Nursery.
Sunday 8th July, 10.00 am - 4.00 pm
Introduction to Scything Course
Natural England Office, Pennerley, SY5 0NE
Learn the joy of scything at this one day course run by Natural England site manager Simon Cooter. The course will include how to set up, sharpen and use the scythe in different conditions. £60.00. Contact Simon to book your place (01743 792294 or simon.cooter@naturalengland.org.uk)
Saturday 15th July, 11.00 am – 6.00 pm
Shropshire Hills Hay Meadow Festival
Discovery Centre, Craven Arms
Return of this popular biennial event celebrating all things meadow-related, with competitions, stalls, advice and fun! Music continues until 7.00 p.m.
Monday 24th July, 10.00 am - 4.00 pm
Introduction to Scything Course
An alternative date for Simon’s scything course. For details see above. Followed by a week of optional and free scything sessions.
? August 2.00 – 5.00 pm
Seed Collection Workshop
This event will include a demonstration of MMG’s seed harvester.
Tuesday 1st August, 10am to 1pm
Monoprinting Workshop
New Invention
Learn some of the techniques of nature/plant monoprinting to create your own design. Course leader Sarah Jameson, who is responsible for much of MMG’s artwork. Link to poster here. (NB this date is now full up. If you are interested, a further date can be scheduled. Please contact Sarah on images@sarahjameson.co.uk - thanks)
September (TBC)
Guest Speaker
October (TBC)
Meadow Fungi
November 7.00 – 9.30 pm (TBC)
Members’ Question & Answer Workshop
Another chance to have your questions answered, particularly (but not exclusively) related to meadow creation on lawns and fields.

