Mill Meadows Society

Mill Meadows, Billericay, is a 90-acre Local Nature Reserve and one of the finest ancient meadow systems in Essex. Centuries of grazing have created the ideal conditions for a wonderful diversity of wild flowers, fungi, insects and invertebrates, many of which are rare. It contains an area of 16.63 acres (6.73 ha) declared as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its unimproved neutral grassland.

The site is protected from development by green belt planning legislation and by a covenant lasting until the year 2070 restricting use to outdoor recreation and social activities. The owner of the site, Basildon Council, is working with Natural England DEFRA to maintain and enhance the rural character and natural history of the meadows while still allowing visitors access for quiet recreation.

Cattle sometimes graze on the reserve during the spring and summer months. This grazing encourages the growth of flora. The cattle are indifferent to people and dogs provided that they are not harassed in any way.

Dogs, kept under control, are allowed on the reserve. Please pick up dog litter. Bins are provided for disposal.

Upcoming Events

Monday 30th January 2012
Living Landscapes
Day Centre,Chantry Way, Billericay
Living Landscapes is a national initiative which aims to improve the areas between nature reserves. It is essential to ensure that we maintain our diversity of wildlife. This illustrated talk will inform about how the initiative is being progressed locally and throughout the county. The meeting is hosted by the Norsey Wood Society and will be preceded by a short Annual General Meeting

Saturday 11th February 2012
Conservation work Party
meet at The Scout Hall, Greens Farm Lane at 10.30

Saturday 11th February 2012
Hedge planting near Billericay
A176/ A129 roundabout
An alternative to the work party - planting on the verge near to the Roundabout to create a wildlife corridor as part of the Living Landscapes initiative

Saturday 10th March 2012
Conservation work Party
meet at The Scout Hall, Greens Farm Lane at 10.30

Saturday 14th April 2012
Conservation work Party
meet at The Scout Hall, Greens Farm Lane at 10.30

Thursday 26th April 2012
Annual General Meeting
Reading Rooms, High Street, Billericay

The whole of the site, close to the south east of the town centre, was formerly farmland, most of which was grazed. Some fields were converted temporarily to arable use during WW2. By the 20th century two farms remained, Hurlocks and Greens, the latter until 1980. Occasional grazing did continue up to 1991 on some of the fields. Many ancient hedgerows exist but, with the exception of the SSSI where grazing persisted longest, there have been incursions of scrub and developing woodland. There is thus a diversity of habitat types, important for flora and fauna.

The SSSI is comprised of five adjoining grassland units that overlie Claygate beds (sandy clay or loam) and London Clay, sloping to the north and separated by old hedge lines and some by ditches. The site boundaries include housing of various ages, roads, a stream, semi-natural grassland, scrub and secondary woodland.

The site has rare species and supports a characteristic flora of a grassland type that is very much reduced within the Essex landscape, due to development and agricultural improvement.

The Mill Meadows Society exists to participate with the Basildon District Council in the management and conservation of Mill Meadows, Billericay, by:

Responding to consultations and giving information and advice at regular meetings of the joint Management Committee
Participating in work parties to give practical assistance
Arranging talks and attending exhibitions and other events to stimulate public interest
Issuing a quarterly newsletter to keep members and the general public informed