What is an urban meadow?

Katherine Buchan Meadow is a good example of an urban meadow. Growing on the rubble of the old Katherine Buchan alms’ houses, it is a “naturalistic” planting of native and non-native, mainly herbaceous perennial plants, which suggests old meadows, and which creates a landscape that is both ecologically functional and attractive to the eye.

The environmental aim of our urban meadow is to improve the biodiversity of this space by creating a dense complex habitat, and in doing so the meadow, as small as it is, plays a pivotal role in maintaining a better ecological balance than it would do as a cultivated lawn. In 2021 a survey undertaken by our local ecologist identified 81 species of plants growing within this relatively small area, this means that the meadow as habitat and food source encourages a greater diversity of insects which in turn encourages and supports a wider range of birds and mammals.

The trees and flowers provide bees, butterflies and other pollinators with food and a habitable environment throughout the year, which in turn supports the visiting mammals and birds.

Another area of the initial proposal for the site was to create a stag beetle specific habitat. This part of Old Hanwell and the grounds of St Marks Primary school had seen stag beetles emerging in the summer months. However, these sightings had dwindled, as they have elsewhere, and we suspect that the clearance of deadwood and old tree stumps may have contributed. Our habitat is situated where there is an old stump, as we were digging the trench for the first logs to be buried, we came across two female stag beetles, they were hastily re-covered. The log and branch habitat has expanded, and we eagerly await evidence that stag beetles are here. The habitat as it ages is beginning to grow in its attraction to other insects and growths such as fungi.

Community and Volunteering

The maintenance and development of the meadow is organised and led by The Katherine Buchan Meadow Trust, set up in 2016, and supported by a small group of volunteers.

Since its creation in 2017, Katherine Buchan Meadow has become a well-used community space and has developed a daily rhythm, the pace of which ebbs and flows throughout the day, with the morning and late afternoon weekdays being busy with the school runs. For the rest of the days and at weekends it remains a tranquil calm space to visit, to meet up or take some time out.

There are now some established seasonal ‘events’ that happen annually, our well attended Christmas event, Light up the Meadow, a day of decorating the meadow before a celebration with seasonal refreshments and rousing carols. Last year we held our first Halloween pumpkin and fancy-dress event which was very popular with local children. We have a self-led Earth Day trail and quiz each year which encourages both children and adults to explore the meadow and to make a pledge that contributes to helping reduce the damage caused by everyday behaviours such as, use of single use plastics, upping ones recycling practice, maybe allowing an area of lawn to be cut less often.

Our sociable work parties are held regularly throughout the year, organised and led by community volunteers. We post these on our social media:

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/katherinebuchanmeadowtrust
https://www.facebook.com/groups/katherinebuchanmeadow

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/katherinebuchanmeadow/



The annual meadow cut and clear is probably the most important task in the meadows management. Without this activity the nutrient levels in the soil would rise encouraging the grasses, and the wildflowers, that prefer low nutrient levels, will slowly disappear as the grasses take over. We are currently facing this challenge in a sections of the meadow.

We have made a commitment not to use any machinery on the meadow, so we use scythes for the cut. Scything is kinder to the environment and community being cleaner and peaceful. It has a rhythm and precision that gives one more choice in how the meadow is cut and when as scything is less reliant on dry weather.

Usually, the cut happens in September and is rewarded with plenty of tea and cake. The ‘arisings’ are barrowed to the local allotment for composting.

If you would like to join us to take up a rake, have scything training, or bring cake or to have a chat, you will be welcomed.

Last year informative interpretation boards were installed to complete the signage on site, helping visitors to further enjoy their visit and be able to identify the more prominent flowers and insects through the seasons. And maybe for some, to help understand the ‘wild’ nature of the meadow.

Check out our stag beetle specific habitat, complete with an interpretation panel, so you can learn more about these rare and elusive beetles.

All the signage has been designed by a local designer and illustrator.


History

On this site in 1876, local Hanwell resident Katherine Buchan built four alms-houses in memory of her father. These provided accommodation for the 'poor and needy' of the parish for nearly 100 years, before finally becoming derelict and being demolished in the 1970s.

A Rest Garden was built on the rubble, with trees, shrubs and benches. However, by 2014, sadly time had taken its toll and the former green space had lost most of its shrubs and become run down and tired.

So, when in 2015 an initiative called Transform Your Space was launched, it gave residents the means to realise the idea of creating a community space within an urban meadow/wildlife habitat, in the heart of this residential area.

Supported through community consultation and donations, the meadow design, created by two local resident, was presented to Ealing Council. And in 2017, with the council’s backing, the build began, with the enthusiastic help of the community.

Since its creation, Katherine Buchan Meadow has been entered into the Green Flag Community Award every year. We have just received our 7th Green Flag Award, with insightful and encouraging praise from this year’s judge. https://www.greenflagaward.org/ 

We are currently waiting to hear from London in Bloom, after our judging day earlier in July. Last year we were thrilled to achieve the level of Outstanding for IYN Award and a Gold for the Community Award. https://londoninbloom.co.uk/

The visits from the respective judges offer an opportunity to discuss the development and maintenance of the meadow and the community involvement, with industry professionals.

These awards are a testament to the small, dedicated and enthusiastic band of volunteers who have helped in the continuing development of our beautiful urban meadow.

If you would like to come and lend a hand, we would love to welcome you. You only need enthusiasm and there are no expectations, all are welcome. However, if you do have a skill whether horticultural, organisational, or are a social media whiz and have a little time to fill, do let us know.

Our email is katherinebuchanmeadowtrust@outlook.com

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How to find us – W7 2NU

Bus routes E8 or any bus (483, 207 and 195) stopping along the Uxbridge Rd before the lights near the Viaduct Pub, buses E8/195 outside the William Hobbayne Centre and walking along the Lower Boston Manor Rd (towards the Uxbridge Road) where you will find Katherine Buchan Meadow, behind the beautiful former church building of St Marks Court, next to the Green Lane entrance for St Marks Primary School and Du Burstow Terrace.​​

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