(from the MRVT Summer 2021 Newsletter)

The restrictions imposed by the outbreak of Covid-19 resulting in considerable personal isolation has probably caused many of us to use the time indoors to catch up with some of those often previously postponed chores like sorting out and disposing of all those accumulated piles of paper, assorted documents and other similar items, and I am no exception. Although the prolonged spell of very cold weather has prevented me from spending too much time in the attic, I have come across a large quantity of MRVT Newsletters and hundreds of photographs from earliest times to the present day that have evoked many memories. So, this is likely to be a rather personal account. I'm sure that other Founder members will have others which will be of interest.

From the very start it was agreed that we would issue no more than three newsletters a year and now and again this has dwindled to two. The very first was not in the form to which we have been accustomed but was in the form of a printed green Conygre Mead Logbook. It had been researched and compiled by Paul Darby and David Wall. It contained a section outlining the formation of the Trust, a map of Conygre Mead, a proposed management plan with ideal objectives and a list (in Latin and English) of the Flora and Fauna to be found in the area at the time, (July 1992). It also contained an insert showing the main habitats and their various locations. Amongst these was the Old Spoil Heap, a large mound near the Station Yard entrance. There was discussion about the possibility of levelling it, but as it already supported several healthy young wild cherry trees it was decided to 'leave well alone', there were many more important tasks ahead. This turned out to be a good decision when some years later we needed somewhere to store small pieces of equipment used on a regular basis by the now established first Sunday in the month working parties. With the help of Peter Howell we purchased two WWII Anderson Air Raid Shelters, which were then buried into the mound to reduce the visual impact. The resulting storage space is still used regularly, although passers-by are often not aware of its presence.

From the beginning the tasks ahead were numerous; more trees, native species only, needed to be planted, paths created or existing ones to be improved and fences and stiles provided. The trees came from numerous sources, individual gifts, for commemorative reasons, and donations from local groups. When my children were young a favourite picnic site was on the Wiltshire Downs near Lambourne where we could watch the racehorses being exercised on the fields below. There was a group of beech trees which had shed their nuts on the ground where they had grown into masses of seedlings. We brought some home and placed them in the tender care of Peter who nurtured them on his allotment until they were strong enough to transplant onto the Mead. They now form a handsome group of five large trees near the Station Yard entrance. The oak tree growing further along the central path came from an acorn found by my granddaughter many years ago on a visit to Tintern Abbey. It had fallen from a commemorative oak originally planted to celebrate the Coronation of King George V.

Another very generous gift of a large number of trees and shrubs was donated by the Malmesbury Film Society. They came to us at the very end of the planting season, far too many for our small group of regular volunteers to cope with in a single session. An appeal went out and on the chosen date a large number of volunteers turned up to help, individuals, whole families and on one sunny Sunday morning, the whole task was completed.

The records of an early committee meeting records the decision to create the pond and the site was chosen as nearly as possible to where the fishponds used by the monks were thought to have been placed. At a later date the observation platform was added. This has proved to be very useful during Schools Weeks and other educational visits.

During the early years Lesley Bennett's association with Wessex Water as a Customer Director brought the Trust a great deal of assistance from that company. They printed our Newsletters for us and lent us help from one of their Educational Officers during Schools Weeks, giving them an excellent start. Cathy's energy and enthusiasm was infectious, and we missed her when she left to start a family of her own.

The paths have always needed continuous care and the one which seems to get the most use is the one with the hard surface, the riverside path. Initially the Rotary Club of the South Cotswolds paid for the work to be done, but over time it began to deteriorate, and was in need of repair. When Patrick Goldstone, making a Mayoral visit to Buckley Barracks at Lower Stanton, was asked what help was needed, he mentioned the state of the path - what a result! I don't think any of us who were involved at the time will forget the outcome. A group of over twenty, including a large number of Gurkhas, arrived daily for over a week. Eager to help they worked very hard and seemed to enjoy the task. They were extremely polite, friendly and always cheerful. They were a pleasure to have around. Vans brought them daily, arrived again at lunchtime bringing food and snacks and returned finally at the end of the afternoon to take them back to the camp.

We have always had numerous committee members and Trustees all with particular and varied talents to offer. Some have moved on to other interests, different places or sadly some have died. All were greatly valued and did much to make the Trust a success. The same can be said for our Patrons and President who have also given us their interest and support which was helpful and much appreciated.