The Coneyberry Millennium Green is an important 8-acre breathing space for all who enjoy the countryside.  It was set up, as the name suggests, for the new millennium with grant aid from the National Lottery fund and the Countryside Commission.  All of the initial work was carried out by local people with much of the paperwork involved being done by Mrs Beverley Field.  We owe a huge debt of gratitude to these volunteers, and the Parish Council, for their foresight and dedication to the project.

The Green is run by a Charitable Trust.  The Trustees are:  John Bainbridge (Chairman); Bob Patchett; David Lodge; Scott Barnes (Treasurer); Cliff Green;  Robert Pugh;  Steve Bradley and Eve Bainbridge (Secretary).  Contact details: 01827 373559 or jbainbr944@aol.com

The Green is positioned alongside the Churchyard and stretches across to Chestnut Lane.  The site is divided into two areas: the north field, previously known as Near Coney Gray, and the south field, formerly known as Broomy Close.  It was decided that Broomy Close would be levelled to provide a playing area and that Near Coney Gray would become wild flower meadows.  Before Broomy Close could be levelled the ancient ridge-and-furrow had to be protected with a membrane and an inert filling material known as ‘hoggin’.

An archaeological survey was carried out by Birmingham University in March 1999 and concluded that no remains existed in the areas to be developed.

The Green continues to thrive as a special place to sit, walk (with or without a dog) or watch children busy on the play equipment.  The two copses, the pond, hedgerows and wild flower meadows encourage a diverse collection of flora and fauna.  The benches provide a place to observe these at close quarters and to admire the spectacular views of the Mease Valley and beyond to the four counties surrounding Clifton Campville.

All of the maintenance work is carried out by volunteers, in the main the Trustees with help on working days from villagers.  Occasionally we call in specialist help with the trees.

 The Parish Council generously supports the work of the Trust with a grant every year but our main fund raising activity is the annual Country Fair, which we run with the Village Hall Management Committee, on the second Saturday in June.  This is becoming a hugely popular date on the calendar and people come from all over the Midlands area to take part in the fun. 

The Fair includes a wide range of traditional stalls, with emphasis on local produce; lots of animals, a fun dog show, children’s races and games, steam engine rides, vintage tractor and motor cycle parades as well as refreshment marquees including hot and cold drinks bar, home made cakes and cream teas, as well as hot dogs and bacon sandwiches – all made and served by people in the village. 

Other activities the Trustees organise include Horse Shows, kite-making and flying days, bird box making days and days making bird feeders.  If you have any ideas for activities on the Green, especially those suitable for children, please contact us.

Our current work includes improving the wild flower meadows – we have just made hay from this area to encourage the growth of the flowers, clearing the footpath and weeding around the recently planted hedge.   A tree expert will be visiting shortly to do further pruning in the copses.