Release Date: 16^th December 2003

A Local Nature Reserves close to Canterbury City Centre will be getting a new lease of life thanks to funding from The Brett Environment Trust and a partnership between the City Council and The Kentish Stour Countryside Project (KSCP).

Whitehall Meadows and Bingley’s Island is owned and managed by the City Council who mow the paths and graze the pasture. However, the area has been underused by local people and there have been problems with litter and homeless people living on Bingley’s Island. The partnership between the KSCP and Canterbury City Council will try to redress some of these difficulties and encourage people to get involved in their local environment.

The meadows are part of the Stour flood plain and are rich in wildlife such as wetland birds and invertebrates, as well as plants, small mammals and amphibians. Also this site is special due to its connection to the Victorian painter Thomas Sidney Cooper (1803 – 1902) who famously painted cattle in the meadows of Canterbury. Less than 1km from the City Centre, this is one of the few remaining water meadows along the Stour and therefore of great historical value.

Some of the plans for the area include ditch and pond clearance, willow pollarding and improving signage. The KSCP also hope to involve people from the local community in art projects, wildlife surveys and practical work.

Mary Lovick, Canterbury Greenspace Officer at the Kentish Stour Countryside Project is co-ordinating the project. "We are trying to raise the profile of these two areas to encourage people to visit them and get involved. They are both really peaceful places and there is plenty of wildlife to see. Open spaces close to built up areas are a real asset for local people and we hope this project will benefit the community".

It is hoped that improved management of the area, and an interest from the local community will prevent some of the previous difficulties. The first project is to clear an overgrown pond on Bingley’s Island with the help of volunteers. KSCP welcomes local people to come along on Sunday 11^th January 2004 at 10.15am either to help with the task, or just to come and see the area and the work being done.