Trull Meadow Local Green Space [LGS] is adjacent to the village allotments off Wild Oak Lane and has always been a much-loved part of the village, dominated by an oak tree over 600 years old under which the Royalists were reputed to have camped during the English Civil War. Records suggest it has changed very little since, being used for grazing and recreation by the village.
 

The origins of Trull Meadow Trust lie in an initiative by Trull Parish Council [TPC], after it became evident that this significant part of Trull's open spaces could be under threat from a reduction in size or access; change of use, character or management; or development.

By April 2019, six strips of Trull Meadow had been sold to adjacent Queens Drive properties with the condition that each must be fenced off. Approaches had also been made to seven adjacent Wild Oak Lane properties with the same condition attached.

In September 2019, estate agents advertised the 5.84 acres 'with long term development potential' at a £175k guide price with offers to be made by the 9th October. The District Council had set up a working group to consider its options and TPC resolved to set up its own Trull Meadow Working Group [TMWG], initially comprising 4 councillors and 2 Wild Oak Lane residents.

At the beginning of October TPC held a public meeting in Trull School, attended by approx.110 members of the public. The overwhelming desire was that the Meadow should be guaranteed protection from future development through ownership. There were additional concerns expressed, including that without ownership the reduction of the open space by the sale of strips could not be prevented, neither could the fencing off of the two linear Rights of Way denying the public a 'Right to Roam' across the whole field, or its use for 'unpleasant' agricultural purposes. The only way to control its future use would be to own it. Following that meeting, TPC met and resolved unanimously that it should attempt to secure the future of Trull Meadow to avoid any long term development and the terms of reference of the TMWG were set.

 

In Nov 2019, the TMWG decided, following legal advice, that the best way to proceed would be to set up a Trust with the object of maintaining the existing character and management of the land for the informal recreation and enjoyment of villagers and the public at large. Trull Meadow Trust [TMT] held its inaugural meeting that month. Fundraising through donations and interest free loans started and the District Council made a generous grant.

Following extensive advice and assistance from Somerset Council's Engage service, TMT was successfully registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation [CIO] in July 2020.

Negotiations with Queen's College resulted in an agreement to purchase the land for £150k and to phase the purchase cost over 24 months. An independent professional survey had valued the land at around £120k, but Queen's was not willing to sell for any less than £150k and said there was another prospective purchaser. The Trustees considered their mandate from the parishioners was to purchase the land if at all possible, so they negotiated an extension to the vendor's deadline and set their target at raising the funds necessary. Through the generosity of the village, both in donations and loans, sufficient money was raised to allow Trull  Meadow to be purchased in January 2023. All loans were repaid by October 2024.

The purchase of the land was through a District Council grant, interest free 5yr loans and donations from parishioners and those from further afield. Since the purchase, TPC has provided a generous grant towards infrastructure projects, for which the Trustees were very grateful. Ongoing maintenance and other expenses [e.g. insurance] are financed from fundraising activities, rental from
grass keep and grazing, sponsorship and donations.

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TMT is a registered CIO [Reg. No. 1190339] and complies with the Charity Commission's regulations. It is completely independent of TPC. Its Constitution defines its Object, the number of Trustees [from 4 to 8] and their length of service [4yr with a maximum of 2 consecutive terms]. A Friends of Trull Meadow group has been set up with its own committee, to involve parishioners in the  management of the land, to raise funds, to recommend actions to the Trustees and to keep the parish informed of developments.  An open meeting is held annually.