ALEX EDIT (1)

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N A T U R E
iew of the farmhouse and fields in June
We own five or six acres of a much larger ancient
woodland in a neighbouring valley that is designated
as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is a mix of
many types of tree including ash, hornbeam, oak, wild
cherry, field maple and much else. I am continually
finding more about the woods. Recently I identified
Whitebeam and Spindle trees. Door mice live in the
woods and there are many wild flowers.
We aim to farm ethically and environmentally. Many
farms plough up grassland and replant with a single
grass type every few years. We will never do that. Our
farm land is permanent pasture with a diversity of
grass types and wildflowers which we encourage.
We have planted five wild life hedges by hand to
promote biodiversity and provide increased shelter for
the sheep. These are dense rows of trees and hedging
plants a metre or so apart made up of 14 species of
native hedging.In time they will become impenetrable
to livestock.
The valley behind Peter's woodland
Hawthorn, hornbeam and field maple make up 50% or
more of the hedges with three species of wild rose and
other types providing a variety of flowers and berries
for pollinators and birds throughout the year. The
house is surrounded by lawn. A few years ago we left
three areas uncut until the autumn. To our surprise
pyramid orchids appeared from dormant seed in the
soil. Each year the number of orchids has increased and
we now have three species of orchid as well many other
wild flowers. The only introduced seeds are yellow
rattle which assists wild flowers to grow.
Bee keeping is a new venture for us. There is much to
learn and we are hoping for our first honey this year. It
is a thrill to see bees on flowers near the farm and think
that they may be ours. Developing our bee keeping and
planting more trees and hedging. I want this to be
seedlings from our fields and woods to maintain the
genetics. The rest will be promoting biodiversity
including spearing wild flowers seeds obtained within
walking distance of the farm.
eter hearding a ewe with a crook; Lambs huddle in spring; Peter's prize winning photograph of Ram Helios, 18 months old