Beauchamps MeadowWickford Memorial ParkVolunteer Group

Continuing on our tour of the Memorial Park - this month we will be looking at the Beauchamps Meadow.

This is a 26-acre extension to Wickford Memorial Park (which was leased to Beauchamps School for over 20 years) and reverted to the park in 2021.

It has been a major project for Basildon Council and the Friends of Wickford Memorial Park have been included in the consulting and work.

The site is a fantastic achievement and will be an asset to Wickford for future generations.

Initially fences were removed, pathways laid, plus two bridges installed across the drainage ditches. At the end of the ditches steel weirs were installed and widened to create the ponds. These ponds are now attracting wildlife.

The work concluded in February 2023 with the planting of a 200 native fruit tree community orchard. Containing Apples, Pears, Cherries, Greengages and Plums.

Known as the ‘Beauchamps Meadow’, the exciting and biodiverse extension includes a 3,500 native tree woodland area, 30 different species of trees, two inline ponds with over 20 native aquatic plants, a 22 feature tree parkland area, a hectare of native wildflower meadow, an area of dense hedge/shrub for wildlife plus an ecocorridor between the main park and extension site.

The 3,500 whip trees for the woodland area were supplied by The Woodland Trust. The Friends Group helped The Woodland Trust plant them in February 2021. Further whips were added for a wildlife copse area these were supplied by E-Forests.

Bat Boxes are planned this year in Giddings Copse woodland. Giddings Copse is part of the park; although not ancient it is very old!

There is an Evening Bat Walk planned for 10th August. Please see our Facebook page or website for more details.

The site has already started attracting more wildlife and can only go from strength to strength.

We run our gardening groups every Wednesday and Saturday mornings if you’d like to come along, no gardening experience necessary and there are tasks for all abilities.

There are three car parks: Runwell Road (main entrance); Rettendon View; and Highcliffe Road.

Please visit our website: www.friendsofwickfordmemorialpark.co.uk Or Facebook: Friends of the Wickford Memorial Park