Newsletter Spring/Summer 2013

Issue 3 Photo: Roger Wardle

Welcome to the Coastal Grazing Marshes Project Thanks to a £857,399 The project is hosted by traditional grazing marsh by providing Landscape Partnerships Grant District Council with partners including access to grants, advice and training. Local English Heritage, Environment Agency, communities are involved through cultural, from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Heritage Lincolnshire, Lindsey Marsh educational and access projects enabling a three year partnership project Drainage Board, Lincolnshire County local people to discover, explore and to regenerate Lincolnshire’s Council, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Natural celebrate the special quality of their own coastal grazing marshes is now and National Farmers’ Union. local areas and boost the local economy. Lying between the coast and the Wolds, the During 2012, communities, landowners in its second year, focusing grazing marshes are a nationally threatened and local schools have joined the project on three target areas in East habitat supporting a rich variety of wildlife benefitting from financial support, research Lindsey around Burgh-le- with a distinctive landscape and cultural and skills development contributing to the Marsh, and . history. The project supports local farmers project’s legacy of rural sustainability once and landowners to conserve the remaining funding finishes in November 2014.

42 Lincolnshire Coastal grant for emergency water pumping at key agriculture related career. We aim to establish Grazing Marshes Project sites to enable core populations to breed educational farm hubs in the target areas Target Areas successfully and then it hasn’t stopped raining that children can visit to learn about food since! To stop this situation occurring again, production and land management. We are the LCGM project officers secured a £59,000 also working with Agricultural grant from the SITA Trust to enable us to College to find two apprentices attending a pump water from a nearby IDB drain onto day release course to work on local livestock the Middlemarsh site in winter, which would farms for a year, receiving at the end, a otherwise be pumped out to sea when it isn’t nationally recognised qualification in livestock

A1031 needed for irrigation. Water is used to top management. A18 up scrapes and ponds when water levels are low, keeping water on the site during spring to ensure birds can breed successfully even Saltfleetby in the driest years. The grant will also pay Community Heritage and Louth for installing new gravel islands in the larger ponds acting as safe nesting places to attract Conservation Grants

A157 more rare bird species such as terns. Grants of up to £2,000 are available to support local groups within the coastal A111 Landowner Simon Dodsworth said ‘The new grazing marshes area with advice and A16 investment will build on the site’s already funding for small scale heritage or high environmental value by improving conservation projects to improve or create Alford breeding areas and developing water /Huttoft habitats, conserve historic and natural A158 storage. The reserve of water will ensure features and/or improve their understanding A1028 A52 that even in drought times scarce and and interpretation, making them more vulnerable populations of waders are able Burgh-le-Marsh accessible to the public. Please call us to to breed successfully’. Middlemarsh Farm is discuss your ideas. A155 open to members of the public, has two bird hides and an all abilities access track. If you A16 are interested in finding out how the project A52 can help with environmental improvements Landscape on your farm contact the project team. Enhancement Grants Don’t forget, if you’re inside the project Project News target area we can offer you a one off grant Free Business of up to £20,000. This may be to help Project secures SITA Development Support restore traditional farm buildings or help Trust grant for birds at maintain grassland and wildlife on your – Breakfast Seminars property by improving fencing, stock control Middlemarsh Farm The LCGM Project has secured a grant facilities, work on ditches, hedges and tree from ELDC for a business diversification/ planting, seed mixes and capital items to development project in the marshes area. benefit wildlife such as owl boxes. To see if We are working with JHWalter LLP in Lincoln you could qualify, please contact the project to run a series of free breakfast seminars for team. farmers and local businesses to provide free advice on diversification and new business opportunities. Business advisors from JHWalter will discuss your individual business LIDAR technology ideas with the opportunity for a free one-to- for Discovering one visit to give a realistic assessment on your plans, help with cash-flows, producing a History workshops business plan and securing funding. Breakfast The Environment Agency has given the seminars were held in March with further ones project access to cutting edge technology to to be organised later in the year depending on profile the landscape in a way that has never demand. If you’re interested please contact us been seen before! The LIDAR data (Light or JHWalter on 01522 504322. Detection and Ranging) was developed by NASA to scan the surface of planets.

Photo: Tom Cairns Photo: Tom Middlemarsh Farm Evidence of salt making, abandoned settlements, redundant water courses and You wouldn’t think so with the weather we Why Livestock Farming land reclamation in the area is clearly visible had last summer, but last March, we were Matters – Education and makes for compelling viewing. The actually in drought conditions with ditches project will be holding a series of special and reservoirs at their lowest levels since & Apprenticeships workshops later in the year. To express an 1976. Wading birds of the marshes, which interest please contact the project team. need some open water to successfully raise One of the aims of the project is to support their chicks, were facing a disastrous breeding livestock production in the marshes area. season which could have seen some of the With high local youth unemployment we hope rarer birds go locally extinct. We provided a to encourage young people to consider an

2 WIN £500! Digital Photography Competition Categories: The competition theme is ‘The Living Marshes’. We would like to show different aspects of life in the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes which will be met by the following categories: • Working life • The grazing marshes in all weathers • Hidden heritage • Wildlife Prizes include: • £500 cash prize for the overall winner • £150 each for 3 runners up The best photo will form part of an exhibition and may be used on promotional

Photo: Joe Blissett Beaver group at Anderby Creek material which will include a grazing marshes calendar. Gayton Pumping Station Competition details and rules are available Get Involved Open Afternoons at www.lincsmarshes.org.uk Events in the Grazing 12 May, 16 June, 21 July, 25 Aug, 14 & 15 Sept, 2 - 4pm Marshes where this year Gayton Engine Pumping Station, the Bee is the Key! Thacker Bank, near Theddlethorpe New habitat creation All Saints, Mablethorpe LN12 1PE Bumble along to our FREE Bee events in the Lincolnshire celebrating the humble bumble bee as an icon Anderby Drainage Museum Coastal Country Park of biodiversity and living landscapes. These Open Afternoons events support our work with local schools Lincolnshire County Council and and make a great day out for the family. 26 May, 21 July, 18 Aug, 2 - 4pm Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust purchased land Anderby Drainage Museum, Anderby at Huttoft for the creation of a new wildlife Creek, Skegness PE24 5XW habitat. The 45 acre site behind Huttoft Come and see the engines in action Car Terrace will be known as Huttoft Marsh Discovering the powering the pumps that once protected Nature Reserve. Much of the previously the marshes! Vintage machinery, stationary Natural Environment engines and vintage tools will also be redundant land will be returned to traditional present for these special events. For further grazed wet grassland, long associated Ponds and Pond Life information please contact the Lindsey with the coastal grazing marshes and Saturday 27 April,10am - 3.30pm Marsh Drainage Board on 01507 328095. sand dune processes will see the margin Rimac classroom, Saltfleetby- naturalised. Some wetland will be created Theddlethorpe National Nature Reserve and a footpath will offer views of wildlife in Learn how to create and manage ponds for this area, already attractive to migrant birds wildlife, investigate the creatures that live in such as curlew and whooper swan and will ponds and how to identify them. After the offer new habitat for breeding species such course you will know how to create your own as lapwing and marsh harrier. pond and carry out a pond wildlife survey. To book please contact the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust on 01507 526667.

Pond and bird life at Washlands Photo: Joe Blissett Bats and Churches Saturday 11 May, 6 – 10pm ish The Louth Festival of the Bees All Saints Church, Saltfleetby LN11 7TU Friday 17 – Thursday 23 May The workshop starts with an indoor session on Activities celebrating wildflowers bat ecology and looking for signs of bats within and bees, raising awareness of the the church. At sunset (weather permitting) we ecology of wildflowers, pollinators will go outside with special detectors that pick and biodiversity of the marshes up the echo-location of bats and carry out a and Wolds including art exhibitions survey as they emerge from their roost within at various Louth venues. Talks the church. After the course you will be able to will include Wildflowers by Mark carry out bat surveys of your local churches. Schofield of the Lincolnshire To book please contact the Lincolnshire Iconic lapwing display Wildlife Trust. Photo: Roger Wardle Wildlife Trust on 01507 526667. For more details visit www.bit.ly/LouthBees 3 Lincolnshire Wolds Wander 3 - Health Walk Wander 6 - Butterfly Walk Walking Festival Thursday 4 July, 2 - 4pm Sunday 14 July, 1 - 3pm Thursday 30 May, 10am - 3pm Haven, Saltfleet, Louth Anderby Creek, Skegness PE24 5XW Come and ‘Walk to Paradise and Beyond’ A gentle 3-4 mile amble around the Saltfleet A short 2.5 mile circular ramble along the with us at this year’s Wolds Walking area. Meet at Saltfleet Haven. To book contact wildlife walk between Wolla and Anderby Festival. A gentle 7.5 mile walk exploring the ELDC’s Tracey Richardson on 07825 989418. Creek. Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust’s Coastal Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe NNR and beyond Ranger will be there to help spot butterflies to Saltfleetby St Clement’s Church with a and other invertebrates such as dragonflies. guided tour by Natural England’s Reserve Wander 4 - Burgh-le-Marsh Walk Meet at Anderby Creek car park. Manager, Roger Briggs For more information Friday 5 July, 2 – 5 pm visit www.woldswalkingfestival.co.uk Market Place, Burgh-le-Marsh, Skegness PE24 5JW Wander 7 - Wings and Water Walk Open Farm Sunday with A 5 mile circular walk set in Burgh-le- Marsh and surrounding grazing marsh, with Friday 19 July, 10am - 1pm Farmer Brown’s Ice Cream evidence of old farming systems & Burgh’s Poplar Farm, Crabtree Lane, Sunday 9 June, 10am - 4pm original village settlement. These fields are a Sutton-on-Sea LN12 2RS Woodrow Farm, Sutton Road, scarce remnant of seasonally wet grassland A 6 mile circular walk visiting beautiful Huttoft, Alford LN13 9RL which is a nationally important habitat for countryside looking for ‘things with wings’ Join in the fun with live demonstrations, rare flowers. Meet at Burgh market place. that make their home in the grazing traditional skills workshops, tractor marshes and how drainage has shaped the and trailer rides and vintage machinery. landscape. Please book via Helen Matthews The Huttoft Village Carnival will also be Huttoft Strawberry Tea on 07894 292641. organised later on in the year, which will Saturday 6 July, 2.30 – 4pm see traditional wooden carnival games from Huttoft Village Hall, Sutton Road, Huttoft’s history books come to life once Huttoft, Alford LN13 9RG Starry Eyes & Smuggler’s again! Come along for afternoon tea with local Tales Event strawberries, homemade scones with jam Monday 22 July, 7.30 - 11pm and cream served with tea or coffee. Poplar Farm, Crabtree Lane, This July is . . . Sutton-on-Sea LN12 2RS Explore the night sky with astronomer Paul Marshes Month! Wander 5 - Nordic Walking Money and tales of local smuggling heritage Thursday 11 July, 2 – 5.30pm under a smuggler’s full moon. Enjoy a Join us for guided walks, workshops Saltfleetby St Clements Church, smuggler’s stew (optional) of marsh-reared and story telling. ‘Marshes Main Road, Saltfleetby LN11 7TP lamb and crumble. Please book via Helen Month’ will be full of celebration, Matthews on 07894 292641. culture and our ‘Seven Wanders A 3.5 mile circular walk with ELDC’s Walking of the Marsh’ walking routes! for Health programme, calling at Natural England’s eco-classroom at Rimac and Wander 1 – Mid Marsh Walk Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe NNR. Free nordic The Bee is the Key walking taster sessions are available in Monday 1 July, 6 - 8.30pm Saturday 27 July, 2 – 5pm Louth prior to this event. Nordic walking , Louth LN11 0QD Poplar Farm, Crabtree Lane, poles can be provided on request. To book Sutton-on-Sea LN12 2RS Join Lincolnshire Rambler, Geoff Mullett contact ELDC’s Tracey Richardson on 07825 Join us to learn about the bee’s role in on a 4 mile circular walk along Louth Canal 989418. nature and how local flora affects the taste through Alvingham and . of their honey. Try your hand at weaving a Meet 6pm at 2 Churches car park, willow bee plus activities and quizzes for Alvingham. Festival of British Archaeology children. - Traditional Craft Skills Fair Wander 2 - Smugglers Walk Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July, 10am – 4.30pm Bird Walk Wednesday 3 July, 11am – 1pm St Botolph’s Church, Saturday 21 September, 10am – 12pm Poplar Farm, Crabtree Lane, LN11 7DQ Sutton-on-Sea LN12 2RS Anderby Creek, Skegness PE24 5XW Find out about traditional craft techniques A 3-4 mile guided walk through coast and A 2.5 mile circular walk from Anderby including bookbinding, calligraphy, pottery Creek to Wolla Bank in association with marsh bringing to life the smuggling history and basket making. Have a go and discover of the area. Afterwards enjoy a special Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park. Meet at your hidden talents! For details contact Dave Anderby Creek car park. smuggler’s lunch. To book please contact Adgar at The Churches Conservation Trust Helen Matthews on 07894 292641. on 07733108553. E-mail dadgar@thecct. org.uk www.visitchurches.org.uk/archway

Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project partners: East Lindsey District Council, English Heritage, Environment Agency, Heritage Lincolnshire, Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board, Lincolnshire County Council, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Natural England, National Farmers’ Union. In association with Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park. Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project, East Lindsey District Council, Tedder Hall, Manby Park, Manby, Louth, Lincolnshire LN11 8UP Tel: 01507 613134 | www.lincsmarshes.org.uk | Email: [email protected] 4