The new subdivisions in Cambridge that are on flat land have drainage problems, and a swale is a means of dealing with stormwater.  Being an open drain, it lends itself to planting along its edges, and this is what has happened here. For a long time, we referred to it simply as "The Swale."

Brian Mayo did a huge amount of work on this reserve, and for the Tree Trust in general. He was a founding member and was Chairman for about 18 years. For a long time, the reserve was nameless. After Brian died (in 2013), we decided to call it the Brian Mayo Reserve. We asked the Council to make it official and they agreed. 

Thus the Brian Mayo Reserve came into being as a reward for his dedication to Cambridge green infrastructure.