Past events & conferences
Over the Summer of 2023, MMCLT organised a series of events starting with a third conference on May 12th in partnership with Shropshire Hills AONB which attracted 120 delegates, indicating the high level of interest and expertise in the natural world across South Shropshire.
The conference brought together Town and Parish council representatives and individuals owning smaller plots of land with a common desire to improve them for biodiversity through Nature Recovery work.
Speakers presented on a wide range of topics including woodland, ponds and wildflower gardening.
Stoney Field Site Visit, New Invention – June 2023
The conference was followed up with a visit to Sarah Jamesons Stoney Field site.
Sarah’s blog “We bought a field”. The story of an 11.4 acre field in South West Shropshire and the lovely story of land management for nature and the results.
The Isle Estate, Bicton – June 2023
Next came the visit to Sir Edward Tate’s Isle Estate situated about four miles northwest of Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Edward had generously offered the visit after attendance at one of last years MMCLT conferences.
‘The Isle’ consists of approximately 860 acres of agricultural land, water, woodland and dwellings, with the majority of the farm surrounded by the River Severn. The Estate is on a mission to return the land to a level of health and biodiversity not seen in our lifetimes. More information at : www.the-isle-estate.co.uk/isle-farm
Sir Edward Tate led a walk around the estate explaining the ecological programme and explaining how the estate is working on: Cropping techniques/use of livestock in an regenerative arable context, Soil health, Farm diversification/ access, Biodiversity Water management and Utilisation of urban by product (green waste) for plant nutrient needs.
Two Hedgerow Survey workshops in collaboration with CPRE Shropshire
Two workshops over two days with Megan Gimber from PTES (People’s Trust for Endangered Species). With theory in the morning and a practical field session in the afternoon, both workshops were very well attended. We learned how to survey a hedge – how to measure it, assess its basic health and record this information on the Healthy Hedgerows app. The workshops were part of CPRE Shropshire’s ongoing Hedgerow Heroes project. The first (photo left) was held at the newly-acquired High Leasowes site; the second at Stoney Field, New Invention.
Cudwell Meadow and High Leasowes – July 2023
Two site visits in one day in Church Stretton with a picnic in between.
The morning visit was to Cudwell meadow hosted by Mike and Isabel Carter, helped by Cudwell Meadow management committee member Aiden Foster, followed by an afternoon visit to the newly acquired MMCLT site at High Leasowes hosted by Sandra and Peter Whitlock (see photo left).
Pam’s Pools – July 2023
A visit to Pam’s Pools permaculture and wildlife site (https://pamspools.co.uk) took place at the end of July.
The vision at this site is to maintain and enhance the mosaic of existing wildlife habitats over the whole 110 acres of “Pam’s Pools” and to increase species diversity by creating new ones through conservation grazing, planting native trees and shrubs and the management of the two wildflower hay meadows, two lakes and three pools.
Norbury Hill MMCLT Reserve– August 2023
The final site visit for summer 2023 was a walk and talk hosted by Rob Rowe, MMCLT board member.
Situated a mile north of the village of Norbury in south-west Shropshire, Norbury Hill has been described as ‘the largest stepping stone’ between two important sites of conservation, the Long Mynd and the Stiperstones.
Address
Enterprise House, Station Street, Bishops Castle, SY9 5AQ
Email us
info@middlemarchescommunitylandtrust.org.uk
Telephone
01743 891492 (Dr Richard Keymer)