A COMMUNITY group is redoubling its efforts to raise money to buy and restore a nature reserve.
The Broken Bridges Nature Reserve Limited (BBNR) needs £250,000 to buy and restore Fitzgerald Farm, commonly known as Broken Bridges, which includes a public footpath that provides a link between Bemerton and Harnham.
BBNR, who were established in 2008 to protect the land, has three months to raise the funds to buy the land, and restore the site under community ownership.
The meadows include part of the River Avon Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation.
The group wants to restore and enhance its wildlife interest for everyone to enjoy and to improve access.
This work includes "restoring the biodiversity of the meadows by re-introducing suitable grazing, moving barbed wire fences away from the path to give walkers breathing space to enjoy the wildlife of the area, improving access for all along the footpath, while keeping its rustic character, and controlling invasive species along the river".
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Jeremy Nettle, chair of BBNR said: “If we buy it, it’s going to be owned by the community, and this is what I think is important.
“It’s about getting people to want this. People say to me, if we don’t do it, what happens? We don’t know, is the truth. This is about demonstrating that the public are interested in this.”
To donate, you can visit the group's gofund.me site or website.
This comes after the 33-acre-land was registered as an asset of community value by Wiltshire Council, where 220 people supported the application.
BBNR want to restore the biodiversity of the meadows by reintroducing simple grazing, and improve access for all, by moving barbed wire fences and widening and clearing paths.
The group said: “Once a thriving haven for nature, the wildlife of the meadows has sadly declined due to the lack of suitable management over the years. Rank vegetation has established, trees are dying and the condition of the footpath is very poor due to erosion from flooding and tree roots.”
Jeremy added: “The main message is that you are investing in not only this generation but future generations.”
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