Boug's Meadow
In the centre of Great Missenden, next to the public car park is a small piece of land of about 0.3 hectares in which Prestwood Nature is attempting to create a wild flower meadow. It is accessed on its northern boundary via a public footpath. The bed of the capricious River Misbourne crosses the site.
The project began in 2006 when Prestwood Nature was asked to take over the management of the site by its owner, Chiltern District Council. Over the past 15 years work has been carried out with financial support from several grantees/sponsors. In this period PN has held over 50 half-day work parties, which, augmented by concerted individual effort from the project leader has resulted in some 3000 hours of voluntary effort. Much has been achieved.
The site now has properly hedged/fenced boundaries, an emergent flower meadow, an airy small copse, 2 benches and a table for public use.
The project is a long one. The soil is of good quality and is therefore as yet unsuitable for wild flowers. By a strict cutting/raking regime we aim to reduce the soil fertility over a period of at least 10 years. During that time we will slowly create our desired wild flower meadow.
Boug’s Meadow is open for everyone to visit and can be accessed from the far end of the car park, along the path by the electricity sub-station.
Recent awards
Prestwood Nature has received two awards for Boug’s Meadow from the Great Missenden Co-op Community Fund. The first, in April 2017, was for £2,180 and this has been spent on the restoration work carried out on the Community Day 2017 described below.
The second award for £2,600 was presented to us on 25th November 2017. This has gone towards financing the next phase of the work and the erection of the information board.
Images of Boug's Meadow
The river misbourne flows through Boug’s Meadow. It is a “winterbourne” which is a river that flows for only part of the year.
The Misbourne flowed in 2014 but then remained dry until 2019. The photos below showing the river were taken in 2020/2021.
