Fifteen years ago, Farnham’s Bishop’s Meadow faced an uncertain future.

In 2009, the land, one of the few remaining water meadows in Britain, was put up for sale.

This 35-acre site, bordered by the chalk-fed River Wey, had been a treasured green lung in the town since at least AD 687. It was not only a haven for wildlife, including kingfishers, bats, voles, and grass snakes, but also a vital floodplain protecting the town from rising waters.

With fears the meadow might be lost to housing development, the community rallied to save it.

At this critical moment, Sir Ray Tindle, proprietor of The Farnham Herald, stepped forward. Using his own funds, Sir Ray purchased the meadow’s largest plots to prevent the land from being sold elsewhere.

His intervention provided the Bishop’s Meadow Trust - a fledgling organisation formed to protect the site - time to raise the necessary funds to buy back the meadow and secure it for the town. This act of generosity proved decisive in the battle to save the meadow.

The Bishop’s Meadow Trust, chaired by Jo Aylwin, led the campaign to raise £200,000 to repay Sir Ray and finalise the purchase. As the sale of Lot 3, a smaller 2.7-acre plot, was withdrawn by the selling family, the trust’s fundraising target became more achievable.

At the time, Jo Aylwin praised Sir Ray’s intervention, saying: “He has given the people of Farnham the opportunity to secure Bishop’s Meadow for the future. Do not let his generosity be wasted.”

The trust’s efforts gained widespread support across the community. Early backing came from local Liberal Democrats, spearheaded by Mike Simpson, who provided significant financial and practical assistance.

The Farnham Society played a pivotal role in galvanizing public interest, hosting a packed meeting chaired by Alan Gavaghan. Farnham’s MP, Jeremy Hunt, also lent his voice to the campaign, further inspiring local residents to get involved.

Local solicitors Kidd Rapinet offered invaluable pro bono legal support, while the Farnham Herald and other local media kept the campaign in the public eye.

Donations began to pour in, with £47,000 in pledges raised early in the campaign. Every £1 donated secured approximately five square feet of meadowland, and donors were offered membership in the Bishop’s Meadow Trust, giving them a say in the meadow’s future management.

“The intention,” Jo Aylwin explained at the time, “is still that the trust will purchase most of the land, but Sir Ray has provided protection for a period of up to two years to allow this to happen.”

Sir Ray’s role was central not only in buying time for the trust but also in securing the sellers’ agreement to the deal. His involvement added credibility to the trust’s bid, which might otherwise have been dismissed in favour of developers.

Reflecting on the effort, Mike Simpson described Sir Ray as “Farnham’s Father Christmas,” acknowledging his generosity and vision during a critical moment for the town.

By 2015, the Bishop’s Meadow Trust had successfully raised the funds to repay Sir Ray in full. The meadow was secured under local ownership, ensuring it would remain a community asset for generations to come.

Today, the trust manages the site as a green lung and vital flood defence for Farnham.

The meadow’s wildflowers, hayfields, and meandering waterways continue to provide a sanctuary for wildlife and a space for residents to enjoy walking, picnicking, and connecting with nature.

The Bishop’s Meadow is also classified as a Site of Nature Conservation Importance, reflecting its ecological value. The egrets, deer, and grass snakes that thrive in its rich habitat are a testament to the success of the preservation effort.

Its historical significance adds another layer of importance; once part of the estates of the Bishops of Winchester, the meadow has been a part of Farnham’s story for over a thousand years, alongside landmarks like Farnham Castle and Farnham Park.