A new nature reserve has officially opened in a Maldon meadow, providing a peaceful oasis just metres from Tesco's car park.

Members of the Chelmer Blackwater Reserve Community Interest Company, supporters, and donors visited Ironworks Meadow for the reserve's formal opening on June 24.

Jane Fleming, Essex County Councillor for Maldon, was there to officially cut the ribbon. She was joined by Councillor Kevin Lagan, Chairman of Maldon District Council, and Maldon Mayor Andrew Lay.

When Ironworks Meadow went up for sale as an industrial estate, local people stepped in to form a Community Interest Company (CIC) to preserve the land for the public's benefit. With help from grants and gifts from several generous donors, new bridges and walkways have been built to facilitate public access while protecting the wildlife.

Visitors enjoyed Ironworks Meadow Ale donated by Mighty Oak Brewery and nibbles from Tesco. Music was provided by Brandy Hole Shantymen & Friends. (Photo: Chelmer Blackwater CIC)

The group is encouraging as many people as possible to get involved and the CIC already has over 200 local shareholders.

Ironworks Meadow is uniquely situated between the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation canal and the tidal River Chelmer, while also within walking distance of Maldon and Heybridge.

The reserve is home to many species, too. Sightings have included muntjac deer, reed warblers, Cetti's warblers, cuckoos, buzzards, kestrels, red kites, wrens, blackcaps, blue tits, blackbirds, chiffchaffs, song thrushes, whitethroats, greenfinches, and jays. A moorhen with a chick has been spotted on the King's Mere stream, which crosses the reserve, with a kingfisher seen flying over it.

Visitors can take in their surroundings on a bridge constructed over the King's Mere stream last January. (Photo: Chelmer Blackwater CIC)

In addition, the Ironworks Meadow is home to a variety of interesting butterflies, bugs, moths, and beetles.

A rare weevil was recently spotted by a volunteer assisting with a visit for local children with special educational needs. It was identified as 'Rhyncites auratus' by Simon Wood, author of Birds of Essex.

Simon has also prepared the Wildlife Management Plan for the reserve in collaboration with John Buchanan, author of Wildlife of Maldon.

Last year, the Chelmer Blackwater Reserve CIC received a £500 donation from members of the Beeleigh Abbey Masonic Lodge. At the time, Secretary Jonathan Wood said the donation would help the CIC undertake a "major programme to restore the unique wildlife habitat".

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