Melwood is a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) on the
Cambridgeshire/Hertfordshire border in the village
of Meldreth....
Cambridgeshire/Hertfordshire border in the village
of Meldreth....
The land is owned by Cambridgeshire County Council and leased to Meldreth Parish Council. It is managed by volunteers of the Melwood Conservation Group.(MCG)
The Group was founded in 2003 and the LNR was granted in 2006. The land consists of approx 2 acres of secondary woodland formerly either orchard, vegetable garden or scrub and had been neglected for some years. MCG manages the wood under a 5 year management plan with regular work parties throughout the year.
A local landowner owns an adjacent meadow to the north and has kindly consented that this is also managed within MCG's remit. At the south eastern end the landowner has also agreed that some work may be done on his property and this enables us to gain more light for the wood by careful management of trees and bush along the boundary line.
The River Mel, one of Britain’s rare chalk streams, runs through the reserve of Melwood. A recent project, organised by local history enthusiasts, celebrates the history and the beauty of this small stream. You can read more on their website, https://waterlightproject.org.uk/
A separate voluntary group, River Mel Restoration Group (RMRG) has been formed to manage the river.
Details are on their website: https://www.rivermel.com.
The Group was founded in 2003 and the LNR was granted in 2006. The land consists of approx 2 acres of secondary woodland formerly either orchard, vegetable garden or scrub and had been neglected for some years. MCG manages the wood under a 5 year management plan with regular work parties throughout the year.
A local landowner owns an adjacent meadow to the north and has kindly consented that this is also managed within MCG's remit. At the south eastern end the landowner has also agreed that some work may be done on his property and this enables us to gain more light for the wood by careful management of trees and bush along the boundary line.
The River Mel, one of Britain’s rare chalk streams, runs through the reserve of Melwood. A recent project, organised by local history enthusiasts, celebrates the history and the beauty of this small stream. You can read more on their website, https://waterlightproject.org.uk/
A separate voluntary group, River Mel Restoration Group (RMRG) has been formed to manage the river.
Details are on their website: https://www.rivermel.com.
Tree management
- Coppicing: Part of the site at the rear south end will be left to grow naturally.
- The front south west end has been coppiced to allow more light and encourage more floral ground cover.
The east side has been coppiced to form a hedge. This will encourage more flowers in the meadow. There is a regular program of seeding and introduction of young native plants
- Trees and Wild flowers: Twenty-six trees and bushes have been identified including silver birch, ash, sycamore, beech and hawthorn. Thirty-nine species of other plants together with several fungal varieties are present.
- River Mel: The Mel river running to the west of the wood is one of only 161 chalk streams in England. It originates from springs at Melbourn Bury. Such streams tend to be very clear as they have been filtered through layers of chalk. Conservation has improved the water flow and the river now supports a larger population of invertebrates and hence trout have returned. The endangered water vole also lives in the banks of the river.
If you are lucky you may spot a kingfisher flashing past.
Management Plans - five year cycles:
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WORK PARTY DATES FOR 2024
All Saturdays:
20 January, 24 February, 16 March, 20 April, 18 May, 20 July,
17 September, 12 October, 16 November, 14 December.
These dates are provisional and will always be subject to confirmation by the Work Leader.
If you are interested in joining the Work Parties please use the Contact section below.
All Saturdays:
20 January, 24 February, 16 March, 20 April, 18 May, 20 July,
17 September, 12 October, 16 November, 14 December.
These dates are provisional and will always be subject to confirmation by the Work Leader.
If you are interested in joining the Work Parties please use the Contact section below.
articles about Melwood LNR....
Throughout the seasons the Group regularly publishes articles about our activities,
the condition of the wood and its wildlife and flora.
These usually appear in 'Meldreth Matters', our village magazine and are available below
to read online or download:
| preparing_melwood_for_winter_2023-1.pdf |
| melwood_work_schedule_for_autumn_2023.pdf |
| melwood_under_attack_march_2022.pdf |
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If you are interested in knowing more about Melwood or would like to join our volunteer groups working in the wood, please email us at melwood.lnr@btinternet.com |
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" Volunteers of Melwood Conservation Group work to maintain this LNR for the benefit of wildlife & the community..."