Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has today spoken of its delight that hundreds of donors have helped raise almost double the initial target of its appeal to protect, restore and sustain wildflower meadows.   

Launched in July, with an initial target of raising at least £10,000, the appeal has raised £19,014 – a total boosted by a £1109 contribution thanks to a beer launch and quiz night organised by Castle Rock Brewery and a £1000 donation from family-owned pharmaceutical equipment company Copley Scientific in Colwick. This donation was made after the efforts of several of the Copley Scientific team who took part in a 10-mile Ultra Challenge. 

Speaking about the response from donors Royah Darabi, the charity’s Individual Giving & Membership Manager said: “We knew that people cared about meadows, but we’ve been delighted by the speed and generosity with which people have responded to our appeal for funds to support the meadows in our care.  

In launching the appeal, the Trust highlighted just how little of this vital and valuable habitat remains. Across the UK, some 97% of traditional wildflower meadows have been lost since the 1930s – but in Nottinghamshire, the figures could be as high as 99%.

The Trust cares for some of the county’s most important remaining fragments of meadow habitat including Ashton’s Meadow near Treswell, Retford, Eakring Meadows in the heart of the county and Glebe Field at Attenborough Nature Reserve.  In addition to caring for meadow habitat, the charity works to protect remaining meadow habitat from development and provides advice and support to landowners keen to provide more space for nature on their land.  

Donors supporting the appeal highlighted their love of meadows; shock at the level of loss and the plight of pollinating insects such as bees as motivations for donating.  

Royah added: “Whether people have been able to give £1, £100 or more, all contributions will help us protect, restore and sustain the meadows in our care. These special areas support an array of species – including vital pollinators and ground nesting birds such as the skylark – and seed from these living time capsules can be used to create new meadows elsewhere.” 

The contribution from Castle Rock Brewery followed the creation of a new beer, In The Meadows – specially brewed to highlight and raise funds for the appeal and incorporating honey from the Brewery’s Poppy & Pint pub in Lady Bay. The beer was launched at a special fundraising evening featuring a pub quiz and raffle last month – held at Nottingham’s Canalhouse pub in in Nottingham.  

The appeal was also boosted by a £300 donation from Nottinghamshire County Councillor Gordon Wheeler – keen to support the management of meadow habitat at the Trust’s work at Wilwell Farm Cutting.  

The Trust is also delighted to announce the First Prize awarded to one of our rare breed Hebridean ram lambs named West Burton Barra at the Melton Mowbray Traditional and Native sheep show recently. Just one of the prizes received for our conservation grazing flock who help manage our meadows. 

Whilst the Meadows appeal has now closed, anyone wishing to make a general donation or become a member of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust so together create a wilder Nottinghamshire, can do so online.