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GODMERSHAM
King’s Wood Pond
Working with Friends of King’s Wood and Forest
Enterprise, the KSCP organised the excavation and extension of a pond in
February 2001. Ponds on the downs are much less common than on the nearby
Weald, but this can make them even more important for wildlife.
More on ponds and other
wetlands
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Bilting Grange Farm Downs
In 1998 the KSCP advised on a successful Countryside
Stewardship application. In the winter volunteers began work on
clearing scrub and fencing the 5 ha chalk grassland site in readiness to
re-instate grazing in 1999. The agreement also included returning 0.81 ha
of arable land to chalk grassland and 1343m of hedge planting. Volunteers
planted 400 m of hedge in the winter of 2000/2001.
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Looking up towards Bilting Grange Downs. A hedge has now
been planted along the fenceline, the bank below the woodland has been
converted from arable to pasture, and the scrubby area at the top of the
picture has been fenced and is being grazed. |
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From the 1950s the government
encouraged farmers to plough up chalk grassland as arable crops became
more profitable. This, along with some land being allowed to scrub over,
led to an overall loss of chalk grassland. Chalk grassland is rich in
fragrant herbs, orchids and butterflies.
In 2001 KSCP volunteers erected a further 1 km of stock proof fencing,
on land which has reverted from arable back to pasture.
More on
conserving grasslands
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Bilting Grange Farm Riverside
The 1998 Stewardship Agreement included restoration of
330m of ditch and pollarding 18 trees. In 2000 a further Stewardship
agreement led to the reversion of 11.1 ha of arable land to riverside
pasture. In 1997
two barn owl boxes were erected.
In 2001 the volunteers constructed an artificial
otter holt chamber.
More on Countryside Stewardship
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Godmersham Downs
This was the first chalk grassland Countryside
Stewardship agreement that the KSCP helped with. In 1996 23.2 ha of
chalk grassland went into the scheme ensuring no chemicals or fertilisers
would be added to this grassland and that the grazing regime would suit
the rare wildflowers and butterflies. Volunteers helped to clear scrub
from the Site of Nature Conservation Interest and fenced 1.6 km, enclosing
7 ha. Kentish milkwort and autumn gentian can be found on the site that
has educational access only. Contact the KSCP
if you would like to organise a group visit.
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Autumn gentian on Godmersham Downs
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Occasional work such as scrub clearance continues on the
site. Last visited November 1999.
More on
conserving grasslands
Godmersham Estate and Parkland
In 1998 a further Countryside Stewardship agreement led
to 690m of hedge planting along with arable field margins and lots of
parkland tree planting. In 1997 two barn owl boxes were erected.
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Godmersham Estate Riverside
In the summer of 1995 volunteers working with the
National Rivers Authority and the Estate office built two stone fish
weirs. These help to create pools and riffles for fish to spawn.
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KSCP volunteers carrying out riverside work at Godmersham
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In 1997 two large ponds were dug
in the riverside field south of the A28, one was fenced, the other against
the side of a ditch was left unfenced. Ditches have been dredged, three
bays have been created and three meanders fenced off and planted with
willow alongside ditches. The 1998 Countryside
Stewardship agreement also allows open access to this riverside field
by the Parish Recreation Ground. Snipe can be seen here in winter.
More on conserving riverside
habitats and other wetlands
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One of the two ponds dug on the Riverside field by the
Parish Recreation Ground in Godmersham
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Godmersham Recreation Ground
In 1997 local people, Canterbury Conservation and KSCP
volunteers planted, fenced and mulched 174m of hedge. The Project came out
of discussions about improvements in the Parish by the Local Agenda 21
Group.
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Chestnut seat
In 1994 the Stour Valley Art Project commissioned Tim
Norris to install a seat inside a sweet chestnut coppice stool. The seat
is on the north side of the North Downs Way in King’s Wood and is made
from cherry. The coppice poles continue to grow.
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Further North Field, Bilting
Planting of a 100m hedge by volunteers took place in
1995.
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