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No. 1 - PEAR TREE CLOSE
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This meadow
is called Pear Tree Close. Under the Saxon system of
land holding, the small fields near to the village were
called 'closes'. They were small hedged and fenced grass
fields (in contrast to the large 'open' arable fields)
where livestock could be kept securely, especially at
night. This field has, therefore, probably not been
ploughed (except by pigs!) for 1000 years or more (if
ever!). It is called Pear Tree Close because of a venerable
wild Pear Tree which, sadly, died some 20 years ago.
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Wetland and Water
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Over the last 50 years or so, lowland
wet habitats have suffered catastrophic losses, consequently
redressing this has been one of the main aims of our
conservation work, some of which is being funded under
our Environmental Stewardship agreement with Natural
England.
In 1996 the original ditch, to your right, which carries
the overflow from the Moat,was widened to form a broader,
wetter 'brook' and therefore a boggier habitat. We seem
to have succeeded, as Snipe, which feed in mud, are
regular visitors. Over the past few years, since the
late 1970s, Snipe numbers nationally have declined steeply
in lowland grassland: this habitat.
A small belt of trees and shrubs was planted on the
banks of the new brook creating one of the ideal habitat
combinations for many species: water, rough grass and
scrub.
Behind the row of Lombardy Poplars (in front of you,
slightly to the right) is an insignificant little pond
which, in early Spring, becomes a seething mass of mating
frogs. Probably as a result, this is a favourite hunting
area for our grass snakes and if you go quietly you
may spot one warming itself in the sun on the path.
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Old Orchards
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Since Britain joined the EEC, the
traditional East Anglian fruit orchard has been in steep
decline with the inevitable loss of the old varieties
that grew in them and of this very special habitat.
We have tried to rejuvenate our old orchard, (just across
the ditch, to your right) by gapping up with some less
common varieties, such as Devon Quarrendon and Lord
Hindlip. These were planted on 'normal' rootstock to
produce full sized trees. Their apples are available
(for a brief seasonal period!) from the Larder.
Every year, in October, we hold an Autumn Apple Fair
at which (amongst a great many other events) your own
unusual/unknown varieties can be identified, by experts
from the East of England Apples and Orchard Project
and to which you can bring your own surplus apples to
be juiced.
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The Grassland
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The meadow to your left is grazed
by either sheep or cattle, alternated annually in rotation
to lessen parasite build up. If there are cows in the
meadow they will be part of our suckler herd of pedigree
Beef Shorthorn Cattle - a rare breed.
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