If you ever wanted an example of true community spirit. this is it!
At the beginning of November, we published an urgent appeal to save Milford on Sea's Community Meadow which was under immediate threat of being lost for ever.
The northern part of old Milford Meadow is adjacent to All Saints churchyard, and had been offered for sale by its owners, The Friends of Christchurch Priory.
Villagers were asked to pledge what they can in order for the Parish Council to buy the land for the community - and they did, in droves!
We were delighted to be told this week that the Parish Council’s bid on behalf of the village to purchase the northern section of the community meadow has been accepted.
The village had pledged an astonishing £114,535.
Pledges came from 140 local people, and the pledge amounts varied from a few pounds, right through to several thousand pounds. All were important in making this purchase possible.
The Parish Council understand that there were four other bids, one of which was close to ours.
Also, it is worth noting that, no tax payers money was used for this purchase, and the land will now be kept as per the wish of the former owner, the late Miss Gillespie.
Once the purchase completes, which is expected to by by the end of January and after all pledges are collected, the Parish Council will then take on the responsibility for the maintenance and enhancement of the area so it can be enjoyed by the whole village.
Congratulations to everyone who generously pledged money, Friends of Milford Meadow, others who campaigned, and to the Parish Council for their efforts in saving this irreplaceable community asset which is enjoyed by so many.
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About Milford Meadow
The Community Meadow, just beside All Saints' Church, was opened by Milford on Sea Parish Council when hosting a village picnic on Saturday 22nd June 2019.
The meadow was bequeathed by the late Diane Gillespie, a generous Milford on Sea resident.
The legacy was in two parcels of land, one made to the Friends of Christchurch Priory, the other to Milford on Sea Parish Council on condition that it should remain an open space to the benefit of the community.
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| Photo by Ginny Campbell |
In December 2022 The Friends of Milford Meadow were pleased to report that following significant local objection, a planning application by Bayview Developments to build a four-bedroom house on the Friends of Christchurch Priory land close to the Community Meadow was refused.
It is understood that over the last two years the Parish Council has had several meetings and communications with the Priory about the future of the Meadow - not least about the unmaintained state of the land.
At a recent meeting, the Friends of the Priory were encouraged to let the Parish Council know what they envisaged for the land and it was emphasised that the Parish would like first refusal on buying the meadow, but would need time to raise the money with community involvement.
Subsequently, we have been informed that the land will be offered by tender via Goadsby Estate Agents in Bournemouth with a guide price of £100,000. The tender period is likely to commence in November 2024.
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| Friends of Milford Meadow - November 2022 |
