Nottinghamshire Trust for Nature Conservation has announced agreement with the Fitzwilliam Estates of terms that for the purchase of a further 9 and a half acres of Eakring Meadows.
Last years the Trust purchased 12 and a half acres of damp meadow-land adjacent to The Beck between Maplebeck and Eakring. The area is officially designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest because it has been used for grazing or for hay for many hundreds of years, and has not been ‘improved’ by drainage or by the use of fertilizers or herbicides.
Because of this treatment , together with frequent flooding , the meadows are rich in flowering plants such as Greater Burnet, Wood Goldilocks, Marsh Marigold and Saxifrages, The banks of The Beck were lined with Willows, Maple, Crabapple and Ash until The Beck was deepened recently, but this damage can be repaired given time. Another feature on the southern boundary is a magnificent ancient hedgerow which includes 14 or more shrub species like Spindle, Purging Buckthorn and Guelder Rose. With this variety of plants comes an equally wide range of insects, butterflies, birds and animals. The trust is proud to have saved one of the richest damp meadow areas in the country. management will be primarily achieved by maintaining the traditional grazing and hay cropping and members of the newly formed Central Notts. Group of the Trust will have an important role to play in maintenance and wardening.
This purchase has cost Notts Trust £11,000 and an appeal will shortly be launched for funds to meet the cost of this and other new reserves. The agents acting for the Trust were Smith Wooley of Collingham.