The Lost Mersey Meadows – A talk by Dave Bishop

The Lost Mersey Meadows – A talk by Dave Bishop

Dave will be giving this talk at Chorlton Good Neighbours on Tues 14th Jan at 1.30pm
All welcome

Most local people are familiar with ‘Chorlton Meadows’ but the true meaning of that term has been virtually forgotten. Certain plants, still present in the Mersey Valley, point to the probability that the old meadows were of a type which was once common in English river floodplains, but is now relatively rare. Existing floodplain meadows are very biodiverse. The Mersey’s meadows would have been much more biodiverse than they are now.

Mr Higginbotham and men on the meadows c1890s

Mr Higginbotham and men on the meadows grass used for feeding to livestock in the winter. Hay was produced on an annual cycle which was common to most English floodplain meadows. Relevant local historical records are rather sparse, but those that do exist suggest that the management of the Mersey’s meadows followed the same cycle.

This talk will explore floodplain meadows and their characteristic plants; the mammals, birds and invertebrates of intact floodplain meadows; the annual meadow management cycle and relevant local historical records; and the reasons for the decline and virtual elimination of the old meadows.