Loughborough Big Meadow, Leicestershire

Acquisition of Loughborough Big Meadow, a 5.5 acre site of ancient flower-rich meadow of great wildlife and cultural value. It is an old Lammas meadow (one of only a handful let in the country), an area of land subjected to a highly organised form of traditional management since medieval times or even earlier. It has been cut annually for hay since 1767. The 'aftermath' was then graze 'in common' after Lammas Day, 1st August, until the following February, when it was 'shut up' to allow the grass to grow. Lying next to the River Soar, Loughborough Big Meadow is regularly covered by floodwater, which deposits rich sile on it, giving rise to a rich flora.