Supported by wildlife enthusiasts
Looking after the reserve, Little Meadow and Tara’s Piece requires a significant amount of people power and money. We are grateful to the generosity of the public, the Friends of Withymead and our funders who support us. Your past, present and future support means a great deal to us. What visitors see today is only possible because of their friendship, advice, time, finances, humour, resilience, and good humour. What we all share is a deep and profound connection with this special place by the Thames. Please take time to read about our partners, and our local photographers whose work you see throughout this site.
Support WithymeadThank you to our partners for their continued support
BBOWT
The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust is our local wildlife trust.
Chilterns National Landscape
The public body established to conserve and enhance the Chilterns National Landscape. A grant from their Farming in Protected Landscapes towards practical equipment has made a considerable impact on our ability to manage the reserve. They are also supporting us through the Mend the Gap programme, with funding and advice for our ‘Improvements to Access’ project.
Christ Church, Oxford
One of our adjacent landowners. We collaborate when we need to work on our shared boundary, and we send them an annual report.
Dorothy Holmes Trust
We are fortunate to receive funding towards projects of our choosing. In 2024 we directed their support to this new website!
Elegant Homes
After our successful relocation of reptiles from one of their nearby building sites, we received a generous donation.
Elvendon Images
Local photographer Bernard Novell is also known as Elvendon Images. Several of his images appear here. We are immensely grateful for his support. Do enjoy his work on his own website. Thank you Bernard!
Environment Agency
An executive non-departmental public body established in 1996 to protect and improve the environment.
Gatehampton Trust
How do you find Little Meadow? This local trust’s support helped us provide the signs at both ends to tell you when you arrive, and for this new website!
Goring Gap Local History Society
Our local historians with tremendous knowledge of our area. Our boatbuilding history words and images at Withymead and on the website were forensically researched and written by members Janet and Mike Hurst.
Goring Gap News
Our free local monthly publication reporting on village events, people, business, arts and sport. Surplus from paid advertising is given in grants and awards. Essential tree surgery so we can open safely, this website and signage is due to their support.
Goring-on-Thames in Bloom
The multiple award-winning group of volunteers who help make the village a beautiful place to visit. They enter the ‘Britain in Bloom with the RHS’ competition for small towns most years, and always bring the judges to visit on judging day. This ticks their box for ‘Wildlife & Conservation’. In 2022 Withymead won the regional award for Wildlife and Conservation.
Goring Parish Council
Our local parish council.
Grundon
The local waste and recycling business. Their grant through the Landfill Communities Fund administered by TOE, and with other joint partners enabled us to re-engineer the Thames Path at Little Meadow in summer 2023.
Hi-Clarity Communications
Our interpretation was made significantly clearer with the assistance of Ivor Coleman, who wrote our visitor leaflet, and worked with us on our brand, signage and interpretation strategy. Thank you, Ivor!
Lucy Woodward Trust
The map and pamphlet you hold when visiting, signage, our all-terrain wheelchair, tree surgery and this website are due to the generous support from this local trust.
Mend the Gap
Thanks to generous support from the Mend the Gap programme, in late autumn 2024 and into 2025 we are making significant access improvements at the reserve. Check news and stories for full updates.
Wallingford Green Gym
Part of the movement that connects people and green spaces, this voluntary group has regularly helped with conservation and habitat management at Withymead and Little Meadow, especially when large scale tasks are required.
North Wessex Downs National Landscape
The public body established to conserve and enhance the North Wessex Downs National Landscape. They are supporting us through the Mend the Gap programme, with funding and advice for our ‘Improvements to Access’ project.
Our photography
A picture paints a thousand words and the photography of Peter Brass, David Brown, Simon Booker, David Flory, Barbara Hately, Pete Morton, Bernard Novell, Steve Rock, and Adrian Cubitt have helped tell our story on this website. Their many hours spent on the reserve looking up, down, close and far and their willingness to share their work in support of Withymead is hugely appreciated. You can see more of their wonderful photography in our gallery, and where they have their own website in partners above. If you are a photographer or photography group and would like to visit, you can book a private Friday visit or get in touch.
View our gallery
Thank you
The words here, in print and in situ are expertly written and edited by Peter Brass, Ivor Coleman, Jenny Hedge, Janet Hurst, Mike Hurst, Rebecca Joisce, Pete Morton, Imogen Smart, and Paul Solomon. Our history is researched and written by Peter Brass, Janet Hurst and Mike Hurst. Our gorgeously illustrated maps are by David Goodman. Tony Hedge has expertly maintained our previous website and assisted with our new. Our new website was beautifully crafted by Unstuck Design.
We are grateful to all past and current trustees and wardens for steering us sustainably and carefully, keeping and upholding Anne Carpmael’s vision. We would also like to thank John Walters. John has a long association with Withymead and Anne Carpmael. He knows the reserve and the properties better than anyone. He offers the trust very helpful advice when we ask and practical help when we need it. We simply couldn’t do it without him.
The Friends of Withymead offer essential assistance which helps with the planning and implementation of current and future projects: thank you. There are several individual donors who wish to remain anonymous: your support is invaluable. We are grateful to all past and current volunteers for your willingness to get stuck in on the reserve: thank you. Some significant people give a tremendous amount of their time and also wish to remain anonymous: thank you.
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