Ham Hill Country Park Management Plan 2013 – 2017

‘A diverse and accessible countryside site where management will

enable the long term enjoyment of its significant and inspiring

archaeological and ecological assets.’

Contents

Executive Summary ...... 4 Introduction ...... 8 Site description ...... 9 Location: ...... 9 Map Coverage ...... 9 Size ...... 9 Compartments...... 9 Statutory Designations ...... 10 Ownership...... 10 Access ...... 12 Physical Information ...... 12 Altitude ...... 12 Topography...... 12 Water Regime ...... 13 Geology ...... 13 Soils...... 14 Climate ...... 15 Land Management ...... 15 Public Interest ...... 17 Archaeology and heritage...... 17 Cultural Associations ...... 21 Land Use History ...... 21 Natural England HLS Agreement ...... 25 Landscape context of Ham Hill Country Park...... 26 Site management evaluation ...... 27 Biological Data...... 29 Community ...... 38 Public Use ...... 38 Education ...... 40 Interpretation...... 41 Community...... 42 Summary of important features ...... 44

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Management Recommendations ...... 47 Aims and Objectives ...... 50 Appendices ...... 99

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Executive Summary

This document sets out the operational context of Ham Hill Country Park (HHCP) for the next five years until 2017. It seeks to outline the vision and direction for the park’s management and the specific actions required to fulfil these. It is intended to serve as a working document to ensure site management and development is structured, effective and efficient.

Who we are (briefly mention the other sites)

Ham Hill Country Park is managed by a small, dedicated ranger team within the wider Countryside Service of South Somerset District Council (SSDC). This service falls under the Council’s Community, Health and Leisure directorate. SSDC Countryside Service own and manage a total of 627 acres contained within five sites across the district. These include Yeovil Country Park, Ham Hill Country Park and Chard Reservoir, Moldram’s Ground and Eastfield Local Nature Reserves. The diverse nature of the sites in both the wildlife they contain and their various recreational uses means that the team have established a multi-skilled and dynamic approach to site management which is proving highly effective.

Ham Hill Country Park

The Country Park covers an area of 390 acres and is located 5 miles outside Yeovil in the parishes of Stoke and Norton sub Hamdon and Montacute. 200 acres of the site comprises the largest Iron Age hill fort in Europe. This Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) also includes a 19 roomed Roman villa and possible military camp. Later historical occupation is Medieval and then sees the site as an important community focus during the trade union movement. The Country Park is therefore a significant archaeological resource with the hill fort having been in continuous occupation since the Iron Age.

Outside of the SAM, further Country Park land includes 100 acres of pasture with a further Deserted Medieval Village. Woodlands envelope the entire site on all sides and further increase the biological diversity on site. With calcareous grassland, woodlands, meadows and a tufa stream the wildlife supported on site is broad. The diversity and ecological value of the Country Park is reflected in the presence of several UK BAP species and habitats on-site.

The high point of Ham Hill so exists because of the raised limestone cap – Hamstone. Hamstone is a golden coloured sedimentary rock, used locally for building and carving. The site is still actively quarried for the stone. But other areas of site are designated as geological Sites of Special Scientific Interest to protect the Victorian quarry face exposures.

The entire Country Park site is very popular with visitors and is a heavily used recreational site which requires specific management that is integrated with the necessary land management. The on-site Ranger Team consists of 2 full time (equivalent) Rangers who deliver the conservation management, community engagement work as well as leading educational sessions, with assistance from annual Apprentice Ranger positions.

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The Country Park serves as an important free, open access resource for the local community and wider population. As a Green Flag awarded Country Park, this reflects the success of the park’s management to date based on a range of demanding criteria.

Where we are now?

The team have been successful in establishing a strong management and maintenance programme that balances conservation and wildlife protection with the needs and demands of recreational users. This is reflected in the retaining of Green Flag Award status and high rates of public satisfaction identified through site user feedback. The team possess a range of skills that contribute to operational efficiency as well as an enthusiasm and knowledge of the site’s biodiversity and heritage which they are keen to pass onto visitors. An active weekly practical volunteer group assist the Rangers in carrying out the work programme with opportunities to volunteer in other ways provided through the Friends Group.

There are a range of current issues facing the Ham Hill Country Park ranger team. The condition of many archaeological features on-site, namely the Iron Age ramparts is at risk from scrub and woodland development and in places recreational pressure. Ensuring the state of these features does not decline requires intensive management and associated resource input. Continuing recreational pressure on other site infrastructure and the network of paths throughout the Country Park stretches resources and diverts Ranger time away from the demanding land management work programme.

The Ranger Team are keen to expand opportunities for community engagement and the number and diversity of sessions and activities provided. This would help to ensure momentum is carried through following on from the very successful HLF funded ‘Learning and Discovery for All’ project. However, staffing resources again constrain this although there is potential to increase capacity through the development of the strong and supportive volunteer base that already exists at the park.

Other threats to natural heritage include invasive species and tree diseases with the potential to severely impact upon habitat quality and landscape character.

Continuing operational budget constraints and limited resources challenge the team in providing a maintained level of service. However, the Rangers have been successful to date through maximising operational efficiency and must continue to do so to ensure financial resilience.

Management over the next five years

The management focus for the next five years is to continue and build upon where possible the established management and maintenance programme to fully deliver land management objectives. Funding from Natural England through a Higher Level Stewardship agreement covering 164 hectares focuses on the restoration of calcareous grassland on several rampart areas, along with the maintenance of other BAP grassland habitats and the maintenance of high quality, functioning woodland. Where external funding can be secured, this will be supported by targeted wildlife enhancement and restoration projects.

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Interpretation will be updated in order to help raise the profile of the park’s most significant ecological and archaeological features which will hopefully contribute to their long term conservation.

Wildlife monitoring will be sought to be increased with opportunities for public involvement developed.

As a large open access greenspace, the Country Park is recognised as an important and strategic site serving a large geographical area. It offers extensive connectivity with the wider countryside and facilitates a diverse range of recreational activities and offers many social as well as environmental benefits. As a result it is important that an evidence base is built that captures this strategic importance to feed into future development contribution mechanisms such as the Community Infrastructure Levy and the proposed SSDC green Infrastructure strategy.

The following four aims reflect the focus and direction for the management and development of Ham Hill Country Park over the next five years:

Aim 1: To protect, conserve and enhance the archaeological, ecological, geological and cultural assets of Ham Hill Country Park?

Aim 2: Provide opportunities for responsible recreation and access to Ham Hill Country Park, promoting the site through interpretative and educational material.

Aim 3: Offer diverse opportunities for people to get involved with the Country Park

Aim 4: Deliver financial and environmental sustainability whilst meeting all legal and other obligations.

How do we get there?

The objectives set out within the following management plan relate to the specific management aims and each have a set of relevant prescriptions detailing how they are to be achieved. This ensures management activities are structured and focussed and therefore more likely to be effective.

Policy links

Due to the diverse nature of our work, the Countryside Team has wide ranging links to other agendas and policies. Key strategic links that are relevant to Ham Hill Country Park include:

Our Plan-Your Future: South Somerset District Council’s Corporate Plan 2012-2015

The Country Parks are recognised as contributing to the key corporate focuses of Environment and Health and Communities outlined in the Council’s plan. Management efforts to promote community engagement are therefore highly relevant to these.

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South Somerset District Council’s Countryside, Heritage and Tourism Service Plan. Produced annually.

South Somerset District Council’s Young Persons Strategy 2006 – 2011

South Somerset Biodiversity and Nature Conservation strategy.

South Somerset District Council’s Health and Well-being strategy.

South Somerset District Council’s Local Plan (HHCP is recognised within this as a key heritage site)

South Somerset District Council’s Open Space Strategy

Somerset Local Nature Partnership

“Wild Somerset”: Somerset Biodiversity Strategy 2008-2018

South Somerset Local Biodiversity Action Plan Supports the action for Local Authorities to develop biodiversity focussed management plans for sites they own.

South Somerset District Council’s Volunteer Policy

Other considerations for the team include:

Planning Policy Guidance note 17.

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and 2005

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

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Introduction Ham Hill Country Park is an area of countryside 164 hectares (390 acres) in size, and South Somerset District Council has responsibility for the management of this land. The land is owned by three parties, the District Council (108.2ha:66%), the Duchy of Cornwall (25ha:16%) and the Shuldham Estate (28.8ha:18%). In 1975 a Country Park was established at Ham Hill with the support of the Countryside Commission, and the formal support of the original three landowners. The original Country Park occupied around 60ha of mainly former quarry workings at the Northern end of Ham Hill. During the late 1990’s and early 2000 the District Council acquired, with substantial financial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage, a further 100 hectares, progressively increasing the Country Park to its current 164 ha. Some of the land within the Country Park is managed under Natural England’s, 10 year, Higher Level Stewardship scheme. This programme provides substantial annual funding for agreed conservation projects and activities to be carried out on the designated land. As part of these stewardship agreements the public have open access to all the land in the Country Park, and most areas are heavily used throughout the year. This access to high quality greenspace is reflected in the Country Park being consistently awarded with annual Greenflag status.

Ham Hill is a nationally important site for many reasons:

 It is Britain’s largest Iron Age hill fort with a long timeline of occupation and settlement, running from the mid Stone Age through to the Bronze Age, Iron Age, Romano Britain and then Medieval Britain.  It is the only source of Hamstone: a beautiful rich orange limestone much desired by the building trade today, and of interest to geologists for what the rocks tell us about the geological past of South Somerset.  This Hamstone outcrop is capable of supporting a rare type of calcareous grassland: a high diversity flora with its associated fauna.

The District Council has committed itself to protecting the site, and this plan will lay out the proposed techniques for the successful conservation management of the site; including its archaeological, ecological and geological features. It will also consider recreation management on site and the provision of safe public access to the Country Park’s land.

A new management plan running from 2013 is required to:

 Successfully integrate the various management regimes that are adopted throughout the Country Park and to ensure that all Natural England’s recommendations are carried out.  Ensure successful delivery of projects that focus on developing and enhancing the park.  Provide an easy to access document that explains the work of the Country Park team and allows pubic engagement with the planning of works.  Evaluate the management of the previous five years to inform work priorities for the next phase of the park’s development.  Provide a structured, detailed and useful working document that can be used to ensure that targeted and effective land and recreational management is undertaken.  Ensure that the plans for the Country Park are costed, timely and sustainable.

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This plan cannot be successfully implemented without the support of the public, landowners, local interest groups and government bodies. The core of Ham Hill Country Park is Hamdon Hill Iron Age Hillfort; a Scheduled Ancient Monument of great importance to our national heritage. As part of its protection, all proposed works must obtain Scheduled Monument Consent in order to comply with the provisions of the Archaeological Areas Act 1979. This plan will be beneficial as a guiding document for the conservation and protection of the site’s important archaeological remains.

The implementation of prescriptions falls to the Countryside Ranger Team, and it is imperative that this team is maintained and secured. The team cannot implement much of the work contained within this plan without the support of volunteer groups and individual volunteers, whose commitment to this site is gratefully acknowledged. Contractors are used for specific specialised tasks. The specialist knowledge of other colleagues from within the District Council and from outside is also gratefully acknowledged.

Site description Location:

Map Coverage  OS sheet number 1:50,000 = 193 (Landranger)  OS sheet number 1:25,000 = 1279 (Pathfinder)  Os sheet number 1:25,000 = 129 (Explorer)  Geological survey sheets, sheet number 312 (Yeovil), 1:50,000. Copy at Somerset Environmental Records Centre, Taunton and Yeovil libraries.  Soil survey sheets, record number 111, sheet 41/51 (Yeovil). Copy at SERC, Taunton and Yeovil libraries.  Historical maps, 1838 Tithe map. Copy at the Somerset County Records Office, Taunton.  Historical maps, 1924 sale of the Montacute Estate. Copy at the Somerset County Records Office, Taunton.

Size The entire Country Park site is approximately 164 hectares in size, around 390 0 acres.

Compartments Due to its size and for ease of description the Country Park has been divided into six compartments. Division is usually based on woodland / grassland ecotones, fences or dry stone walls and is aided by the site’s definitive landscape zones. See Appendix 3.

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Statutory Designations Listed below are the designations placed on Ham Hill that affect management and access within the Country Park.

 Site of Special Scientific Interest (geological): notified in 1981 at ST 482162, 11.1 hectares.  Regionally Important Geological Site.  Country Park: The original 60 hectare area designated in 1975  Local Wildlife Site: The woodlands in Pit Wood , Horses Wood, and the Northern Spur.  Natural England, Higher Level Stewardship  English Heritage, Scheduled Ancient Monument (Number 100), only the Iron Age hillfort.  Area of high archaeological importance (AHAP)

In the 1970’s, botanical SSSI status was lost.

Ownership Excluding SSDC, there are two other landowners associated with Ham Hill County Park; see Appendix 5.

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Access The majority of the 164 hectare Country Park site is open access for the public. Certain areas of the Country Park have restricted access for mountain bikers; this is an attempt to limit damage to the highly sensitive areas and particularly busy areas of the Park. There are a number of public footpaths and bridleways running up to and across Ham Hill. These routes are subject to the usual restrictions placed on public rights of way. Throughout the Country Park there are a number of permanent fences in place to facilitate the reintroduction of sheep grazing. Each length of fencing is regularly broken by pedestrian gateways, placed on the most commonly used routes. In addition to walking up to the site, visitors can drive and park in the many designated car parks. A busy road bisects the Country Park, travelling from Stoke sub Hamdon in the north-west to Odcombe in the south east, and then on into Yeovil. The majority of car parks are concentrated on the western side of the Country Park (on the hillfort), providing easy access to the “honey pot” area of the Park. The eastern area of Country Park e.g. Witcombe Valley and Pit Wood , have very limited parking close by. Visitors are advised to park on the main hillfort site and walk along the ramparts to reach these quieter areas.

Physical Information Altitude This is difficult to describe as the Iron Age hillfort, Hamdon Hill itself is one of the highest points in the area, whereas the eastern end of the park (Pit Wood and Witcombe Valley) are considerably lower than this. Some approximate figures for each compartment follow:

Topography The topography of Ham Hill Country Park is incredibly varied; ranging from gently undulating hills in Witcombe Valley through to the steeply sloping inclines of the Iron Age ramparts. The core of the Country Park is Ham Hill (Hamdon Hill) itself; called Ham Hill Plateau in the South Somerset Landscape assessment of October 1993. The periphery of the fort is composed of 4.5 km of Iron Age ramparts; these multi-vallate defences are the most valuable interpretative material still in existence from this period, their size and dominance in the surrounding low lying alluvial plains making them one of the most characteristic features of the Country Park.

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The ramparts enclose 88 hectares of land, which can be divided into two very contrasting landscape areas. The western side of the fort, including the Northern Spur, has been subject to industrial quarrying activity since Roman times. Consequently spoil heaps of around 4m in height are dotted around the area. These features are what Ham Hill is renowned for and they provide great recreational potential; they are known to some visitors as the “mountains of the moon”. With quarrying still active at two sites on the fort, there are a number of exposed hamstone faces. These range from small crags of about 2m high to large rock faces of about 30m. All these features combine to create a very distinctive interior to the hillfort’s western side.

The eastern side of the fort is very different; four relatively flat fields, divided by two dry stone walls, known collectively as the Plateau, create the core area, the ramparts in this area drop steeply away into Witcombe Valley. However, on the northern side the ramparts have become forested and are consequently less striking. Witcombe Valley is a landscape of sweeping valley coombes with a three hectare “L” shaped area of mixed woodland at its centre, on the steepest slope. The short pasture grassland highlights the archaeological features of the site, including the remains of a medieval village, strip lynchets and a Roman road up to Butcher’s Hill, with a drop down to the valley bottom where a natural spring emerges leading down to the wet woodland at the most southerly point of Witcombe Valley. On the eastern side of Witcombe Valley is Pit Wood; both Witcombe and Pit Wood fall into a Special Landscape Area (from the Yeovil Area local Plan) known as “Yeovil sands, escarpments and valleys”. This zone is characterised by steep valley sides and flat topped hills. Pit Wood itself has a central valley of meadowland with mixed pockets of woodland around the perimeter situated mainly on the steeper inclines which in the past were unsuitable for arable practices.

Hedgecock Hill Woods are situated to the north of the hillfort’s plateau, a large part of which is not officially within the Country Park. Numerous footpaths pass through the area and it is heavily used by the public. The woodland is of mixed species and covers a large area of rampart. This site provides a valuable contrast to the predominantly grassland habitat of the rest of the fort.

Water Regime The high ground of Ham Hill is underlain by the Hamstone and Yeovil Sands which are generally permeable and allow rainfall to infiltrate to six lower levels. However, the lower beds tend to have more clay which is impermeable and as a result water emerges as springs in the lower parts of the valleys. A springhead in the valley bottom in Witcombe (now fenced to exclude livestock), was once used by the medieval village. It passes along the valley bottom (often saturated in the winter months), heading south, where willow trees have been able to grow along its banks. The Witcombe stream eventually becomes a tributary of the Pit Wood stream in an area known as Withy Bed, currently a non-intervention area in terms of management. The spring head for Pit Wood ’s stream is located on Pit Plain, ST 501157, and flows down to Pit Pond (south west); a large private lake managed for recreation and planted with many ornamental species. Pit Pond was originally landscaped by the Victorian Phelips’ for use as a boating lake.

Geology The Hill is capped by the Ham Hill Stone (Hamstone) which is a sandy limestone composed of small shell fragments cemented with calcium carbonate. Whole fossils are rare but include ammonites which date the rock to some 170 million years before the present. The quarry faces show mainly

13 uneven crossbedding unlike the Blue Lias which displays beds of even thickness. These features suggest that the Ham Hill Stone was deposited in warm, shallow, agitated seas with strong currents during the Jurassic Period. A basal conglomerate occurs at the contact with the underlying Yeovil Sands and consists of large rolled sandstone pebbles and a variety of fossils. It probably represents a period of shallowing and erosion of the sea floor. The Ham Hill Stone forms a lens some 5 miles north to south and 1 mile wide within the Yeovil Sands rock formation.

In places the stepped layers show crystal faces and striations, providing evidence for horizontal wrenching movements in the Tertiary Period (between 2 and 65 million years ago). A variety of vertical openings (gulls) show that the rocks have foundered at some time during the Ice Age. The rock faces show a variety of tufa deposits where lime-rich water has evaporated. The Hill includes a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) at the southern end and a number of Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS).

The Ham Hill Stone produces a warm, golden building stone full of character and has been quarried since the time of the Romans. It is readily carved and cut and has been extensively used for walls and buildings. Currently two active quarries on the outcrop have planning permission to remove stone for commercial sale. The geology of Ham Hill is best understood by reference to the geological section below:

The geological section shows that the bulk of Ham Hill is composed of the underlying Yeovil Sands which can be viewed in the holloway that leads down to Montacute and in the bridleway on the east side of Norton Covert. These are fine-grained, yellow sands and sandstones and include nodular concretions of varying size. The sands are readily eroded both from unsurfaced tracks and arable fields. The Ham Hill Stone and higher beds of the Yeovil Sands are both relatively resistant rock types and as a result they combine to form an undulating Plateau edged by a steep escarpment. An interesting by-product of the limestone cap is found in a stream running along the southern edge of Pit Wood and Witcombe Valley. This is a tufa stream and there is evidence of the calcification of twigs, hazel nuts and molluscs etc. This debris has been continuously covered by layers of calcium carbonate, precipitated out of the limestone rock higher up the valley.

Soils As with the geological description, Ham Hill Country Park covers two general soil classifications. The Hamstone cap is listed as supporting a class of soil called the South Petherton series (from the soil survey of Great Britain, 1983, found in “Soils of England and Wales”, sheet 5, Southwest England,

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1:25,000). Described as a deep, well drained silty soil found upon Jurassic and Cretaceous siltstone and sandstone, this may be true of the western slopes of the hill, however the remaining soils are believed to better represent the Elmton series. This class of soil is shallow, well drained, brashy calcareous, fine loamy soils over Jurassic and sandy limestone. These thin nutrient poor soils provide the correct abiotic conditions for the development of a floristically diverse, close knit sward, much like those seen on the Sussex downlands. The topographical similarities are few though as regular spoil heaps break up the continuity of depth and age usually found on true downland.

The soils found above the Yeovil Sands bedrock in Pit Wood and Witcombe Valley are very different to those on the limestone cap, reflecting the sandy bedrock type. Depending on the altitude and therefore water saturation levels of the soil, the area can be divided into three main types; Bridport series (Bpt), Conway series (Ch1) and South Petherton series (Spn); all sandy silty loams. The steep sides of Witcombe Valley have created nutrient pools at the base of the slope and particularly poor areas mid slope. Humic levels are understandably higher in the wooded areas, and the entire site has a pH range of 6.5 – 7.0 (neutral too slightly acidic). More details on the soils of this area can be found in the Pit Wood Management Plan and a soil report completed by R.Scaiff and L. Wright, students of Bournemouth University.

Climate The topography of Ham Hill Country Park lends itself to the development of many microclimates. South facing slopes on the main hillfort site are well protected, becoming very warm in summer. Woodlands and scrub have grown particularly well in the lea of the fort, protected from the winds that whistle across the lowlands. However the extra altitude means that the temperature can be a few degrees below that of the surrounding countryside. In winter Ham Hill is often the only local area to experience snow fall that settles for any length of time, and on chilly mornings remains shrouded in mist long after it has cleared elsewhere.

The woodlands of Horses Wood and Pit Wood maintain a stable micro climate by decreasing wind chill factor, and south facing compartments of woodland can be very warm in the summer months.

Land Management The land management regime for each compartment is described below:

Compartment 1: The Northern Spur

The original Country Park and the most heavily used area of Ham Hill. It is subjected to constant and heavy erosional pressure from footfall, horse riders and mountain bikers. It contains all of the main car parks for the site, and has therefore created a “honey pot” area. The compartment Includes one active quarry, including an active stone masons workshop and a much smaller stone extraction enterprise further to the north. A majority of the area is exposed to low intensity sheep grazing intermittently throughout the late summer and autumn. Grazing is helping to restore a short, close knit sward on this calcareous bedrock. Additionally the Ranger Team and volunteers have removed, by hand, a great deal of the scrub and trees whose roots were threatening the successful preservation of the ramparts and other earthworks. A gravel trackway of about 1 mile in length loops out to the war memorial and back again. This heavily used area of the Park is patrolled regularly to check for damage and remove litter. There are numerous dog and litter bins to service

15 the area and two heritage interpretation panels detailing information about the Victorian quarrying on site and to provide explanation around the Iron Age earthworks.

Compartment 2: The Plateau Fields

The intention is to manage the four fields to conserve the underlying archaeology and to develop a diverse native flora. This is being achieved through a combination of cut and remove followed by aftermath grazing pressure. Rides are mown through the fields to keep visitor pressure in one area, protecting the more delicate flora of the fields e.g. orchids. Two large dry stone walls bisect the three northern fields, which require significant restoration work. Success over the last five years has seen an expansion in the orchid populations expanding from Strouds Meadow west into Strouds Meadow east and the increase in population size of skylarks.

Compartment 3: Witcombe Valley

A strict grazing regime has been in place in Witcombe since 1996 when this old pasture was originally accepted into DEFRA’s Countryside Stewardship Scheme. In addition to a grazing regime, further prescriptions included in the agreement have meant that nettles and thistles are controlled by topping. The public have open access to Witcombe Valley and it is a popular walking and horse riding site. The new woodland corridor was planted in 2006 and has successfully established.

Compartment 4: Horses Wood

The wood was fenced out of Witcombe Valley to prevent sheep access and to encourage regeneration. Conservation volunteers have removed large areas of laurel and carried out some hazel coppicing. The woodland has now been left to regenerate naturally. The ground flora has improved dramatically over the last 5 years and spring sees a good show of bluebells and wood anemones.

Compartment 5: Pit Wood

With a central core of pasture and peripheral woodland strips, sheep have access to the grassland core. There are significant works to be undertaken within the woodland strips to remove sycamore and control laurel. Areas of new planting have occurred both to extend the area of native mixed woodland and to contribute to the woodland structure where it currently exists, both practices that will be continued.

Compartment 6: Hedgecock Hill Woods

Only partially within the Country Park this is the most difficult area of Ham Hill to describe in terms of past land management. On land owned by SSDC paths have been widened and tree works undertaken, making safe the footpaths and bridleway. Further east in the site the land has a different owner who has responsibility for the conifer plantation, old pump house and underground reservoir. The conifer plantation requires management e.g. thinning, purely to prevent any dangerous tree fall, and other path side trees now need significant arboricultural attention. Analysis of the flora suggests that in Victorian times the woodland was used as a “pleasure garden”, and stands of laurel and monkey puzzle trees have been planted for aesthetic reasons. Some of the council’s work has included removal of these laurel outcrops.

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Public Interest The breadth of interest and number of user groups active in the Country Park is enormous. The largest user group is known to be dog walkers and people out for quiet enjoyment and recreation in the countryside. In addition to this the Country Park attracts a number of specialist user groups, including; bird watchers, bat enthusiasts, badger watchers, archaeologists, historians, ramblers and walkers, horse riders, climbers and mountain bikers. Less frequently the site is visited by paragliders. More unusual requests for horse and motor cross events have been considered, but rejected because of the damage they would cause. As can be imagined, different areas of the Park attract different user groups and occasionally this “sorting” of people creates management issues for the attention of the Ranger Team. Such groups include but are not exclusively limited to:

Mountain Bikers – On lumps and bumps around the rangers office, causing erosion and danger to other Park users.

Horse riders – Witcombe Valley, in the winter months this area is waterlogged and over use can be detrimental to the habitat.

Non-professional archaeologists – Attracted to the remains on the Plateau fields. Occasionally people have been caught digging and taking artefacts away with them.

Archaeology and heritage There follows a resume of the history and archaeology for the modern day Country Park site. A more detailed description of the hillfort, and the source for the listed information is the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England (RCHME) 1997 report on Ham Hill. Because of its long settlement history and consequent important place in British history, Ham Hill fort has been designated a SAM (Scheduled Ancient Monument). English Heritage is the government advisor on heritage and archaeology; they advise and enforce the provisions of the Archaeological Areas Act. This designation is an important influencing factor in the type and style of management carried out by the onsite Ranger Team. Any works causing a ground disturbance require the permission of the Department of Culture Media and Sport in order to commence. Permission is sought using a Scheduled Monument Consent Form.

Ham Hill - A Timeline of Occupation

Mesolithic: 9000BC – 4000BC

Flint finds indicate Stone Age activity on the hill; it is thought that the striking landscape of the hill was becoming a focus for navigation in the low-lying wetlands and forests.

Neolithic: 4000BC – 2000BC

It is thought that during this period the hill began to gain symbolic significance and importance. There is thought to have been a major Neolithic settlement on the hilltop and the distribution of material indicates that several settlements existed. It is likely that at least one centre was on the Northern Spur, a highly visible focus for other communities exploiting the low lands.

Bronze Age: 2000 BC – 750 BC

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Ham Hill was still an important settlement during the Bronze Age, evidence for burials attests to its spiritual significance, other finds include pottery and flintwork. Additional finds include evidence for metalworking . Around the 7th century BC part of the hill may even have been enclosed, the beginnings of the hillfort as we know it.

Iron Age: 750 BC – AD 43

During the Iron Age the Celtic Durotrigan tribe centred its power at Ham Hill. The hillfort became a very busy and important place. The hill is situated within a narrow strip of land that was a corridor between two other Celtic tribes; the Dumnonii (their border is thought to have been at the river Parrett) and Dubunni. It was very important that the Durotriges maintained their control of Ham Hill to enable them to stay in the area. Being such a prominent landmark the tribe controlling the hill was seen as powerful and wealthy. As a demonstration of their power the Durotriges constructed massive earth banks and ditches (ramparts) which must have looked impressive from the low lands. It is unlikely that the hillfort was easily defendable because of its massive size and the Northern Spur may have been allocated as a safe area to retreat to when there was a threat of attack. It is believed that a system of ramparts once existed near where the current Prince of Wales Inn is situated, these defences would have cut the Northern Spur off from the rest of the fort and would have created a more easily defendable stronghold. Sadly quarrying has destroyed these features.

Ham Hill must have played a pivotal role in the network of exchange, redistribution and social interaction within the local area. It is often referred to as functioning like an oppidum: “a large low- lying settlement of the late Iron Age, having commercial or political functions”. The material evidence dating from the Iron Age (Iron currency bars indicates a period of great wealth, with conspicuous consumption, giving an idea of the power that the inhabitants of the fort had over the settlements in the surrounding countryside. The Plateau occupation during this time appears to have been planned and reveals a network of huts, fields and trackways. Small clusters of thatched roundhouses with wattle and daub walls were dotted around the fort, with trackways linking them. Cattle, sheep and pigs would have been kept for food and trade. The remains of extensive livestock pens, and animal bone, are evidence for this. At least some of the fortsto water would have been by travelling down into the field now known as The Combe . The hillforts access route was down below the Prince of Wales Inn, where today there is a dry stone wall. Unlike today no trees would have grown on the hillfort, as the Celtic people needed wood for fuel and building, trees also blocked your view and jeopardised your defensive position. The Iron Age community had various methods of defence and they often used catapults and slingstones. These rounded stones can still be found on the fort. They are naturally rounded sea pebbles and are believed to have been brought up from Chesil beach at Abbotsbury. The Celts would have bartered and traded for these vital pieces of equipment.

Roman Britain: AD 43 – AD (approx.) 400

After the Roman invasion of England it would have been important for the army to capture and gain control of such obviously important tribal centres like Ham Hill. Military equipment (scale armour), harness fittings and other military metal work has been found on the Northern Spur indicating the presence of the army, and the possible location of their garrison. The hillfort is thought to have been captured around AD 43. All important sites like Ham Hill were garrisoned after conquest; the Northern Spur is thought to have had a wooden fortress built on it. Having conquered the Durotriges

18 the Roman presence on the hill must have been a great threat to the nearby Dumnonii tribe. Ham Hill’s commanding position and vantage point over the surrounding countryside must have been of great benefit to the army during their invasion of the Southwest. Clearly visible from the Northern Spur is the A303, the then Fosse Way, the hill’s proximity to this essential communication route must have meant it received visits from many mobilised armies, and later in the occupation Ham Hill must have been an important trade centre.

The entrance way on the eastern side of the Northern Spur is thought to have been breached by the Roman army, to speed up access to the low lands and the east of the fort. The huge quantity of Roman material from the Northern Spur attests to the importance of the Northern Spur long after its military importance lapsed. Later settlement on the Spur is thought to be connected with quarrying, and hamstone is found in villas throughout the area, as well as being used for column bases and quoins (grinding stones).

The new Roman landlord of the hill built a villa on the eastern end of the Plateau. The villa had 19 rooms, see appendix 5 for the plan. Excavations in the 1960’s revealed evidence for mosaic floors and uncovered extensive artefacts including spindle whorls, a bronze lamp and jewellery. The villa’s workforce were concerned with farming and quarrying, the estate is thought to have been wealthy, making good money out of the sale of hamstone. Evidence for Roman quarrying includes the villa faced with hamstone, and a hamstone coffin now kept in Dorchester museum. The original Celtic occupants of the fort were probably integrated into the Roman workforce, and rapidly adopted the Romano British way of life. This large settlement was prosperous and finds include three amphorae full of Roman coins, brooches, fine pottery and glassware. The old hillfort defences are thought to have marked the boundaries of the villa estate, within this the land was divided into rectangular fields with associated trackways. Industrial activity was centred on the southern fields of the Plateau, namely Butchers Hill. Here scorched earth and tiles provide evidence for pottery kilns, metal working, and possibly the production of lime for building.

In the mid to late 4th century the organisation of Roman Britain failed, the army was gradually pulled out to deal with issues elsewhere in the empire, and the large administrative centres suffered without the armies role in law enforcement. Continuous waves of invasion by the Angles, Saxons and Jutes gradually brought down the Roman control, and these invaders spread throughout the British Isles. The Roman settlement at Ham Hill is thought to have gradually fallen into disrepair.

Anglo-Saxon & Norman Britain: AD 410 – early 13th century:

During this time settlement on the hilltop is thought to have been limited to quarry workers. The hill became common land; that is pasturage, and supplies of stone and wood available for all. The Northern Spur at this time was used for fairs, to facilitate the exchange of livestock. The fairs grew in size and became important annual events; the ‘amphitheatre’ or frying pan on the Northern Spur is believed to be the remains of a livestock ring, and the nearby ‘equestrian camp’ an animal holding pen.

Medieval Britain: From Norman Conquest - 16th century.

During this period the last known settlement existed on the hilltop. “South Ameldon” or “Suth Meldon” is thought to have been a quarrying settlement, in existence due to the high demand for

19 hamstone from around the country. During the Medieval period a small village existed in Witcombe Valley . Here a few huts and animal pens existed. Water was accessed at the nearby pond (fed by a springhead further up the valley) this is now fenced for safety. The mainstay of life here was farming and distinct lynchets have developed on the hillforts ramparts after years of ploughing. There is evidence for occupation in 1566 but then it dwindles. Witcombe village is often cited as having been wiped out by the Black Death, this is unlikely and it is more probable that the enclosure acts crippled the small landowners and tenant farmers.

During this time two rabbit warrens are known to have existed on or near the hill and are assumed to have been the property of the Montacute estates.

Modern Britain: The 16th – 21st centuries

The Victorians really kick started the quarrying at Ham Hill and without the heavy industrial machinery of today the manpower required was huge; quarrying became a massive employer in the area. At this time the hill began to be used as a beauty spot and for recreation. There are photos of works days out and huge picnic parties up on the Northern Spur. In the early 1800’s Montacute Mason George Mitchell became a national hero and leader in the fight for fair wages for agricultural workers. George was a successful mason who worked on many London buildings, but he returned to Montacute and Stoke sub Hamdon to fight his cause. Huge rallies were organised where thousands of men and women marched up to Ham Hill and congregated in the frying pan to hear George Mitchell and others speak (see the panels in the Ham Hill Centre). “One from the Plough” is a book about George’s life and is available from Montacute Post Office.

Today there is no permanent occupation of the hillfort excepting the public house and one private residential property. Two active quarries still exist on Ham Hill, providing stone for repairs to hamstone buildings and sometimes more major projects.

Recent archaeological works:

A condition as part of the quarrying licence agreement was the undertaking of a series of archaeological digs on land owned by Harvey’s Quarry in 2011-2013. These have been carried out by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit and Cardiff University. A number of significant finds have been discovered including a stone built Iron Age roundhouse in separate dig into the ramparts. Field systems and artefacts have been excavated reflecting the near continuous use of the site as a settlement and the importance of its prominent location. Although the licence condition digs are due to shortly end, it is hoped that a series of other excavations at key sites will continue, adding to the already fascinating story of Ham Hill’s past.

Information on the excavations, the findings and their significance can be found at www.hamhillfort.info.

As a result of the significance and importance of the Country Park’s archaeological and historical heritage assets, a specific and detailed management plan has been produced in order to contribute to the protection of the these features. This Archaeological Management Plan (AMP) produced by Wessex Archaeology has assessed the vulnerability of particular features and proposes management and conservation priorities to prevent their degradation. An effort has been made to integrate these priority objectives within this current Country Park management plan. Much of the work undertaken

20 by the skilled ranger team to maintain and protect habitat resources and manage recreation also serves to benefit the conservation of archaeological features contributing to an efficient and effective management operation.

Specific reference to the management priorities within the AMP are outlined in the later management aims and objectives section. However, these generally refer to the protection and revealing of the Iron Age earthworks comprising the series of ramparts surrounding the fort. The long term protection of the lime kiln is emphasised as it is one of the best surviving examples in South Somerset and is only site readily available to public to appreciate. It also provides the only other link to the site’s industrial past other than quarries.

Cultural Associations Much of the information relevant to this section can be found in the archaeological description of the site. However, there are other important cultural associations with the hill and its past which are worthy of mention. “In April Witcombe echoes every few minutes to the mocking laughter of the woodpecker, as in lifting flight it casts a glancing volatile shade across the green turf, close cropped by mild eyed sheep from the Abbey Farm. On both Sides of the field’s slopes the gorse grows in dark masses rendering the air balmy – soft in this windless sanctuary of sheltered peace…” Llewellyn Powys, 1910. A Montacute Field, from “Scenes from a Somerset childhood”, 1986. In his book Llewellyn Powys also makes reference to the naming of Pit Wood itself, when the Phelips family paid host to the prime minister and honoured him by naming their lake and woodland after him. There are also a number of myths and legends associated with the hill, this includes stories of giants and Celtic princesses. References for these stories can be found in the bibliography.

Land Use History Because much of the land within the Country Park has been purchased from different landowners (or is managed with their agreement) the knowledge of past land use for the various compartments differs greatly.

Compartment 1: The Northern Spur

For centuries this area has been unfenced and open to the public. The area has always been a significant agricultural focus for the area, in particular sheep grazing. The Northern Spur was used for sheep pasture from the 11th century and this long period of consistent grazing kept the hill free of trees and scrub. In the post Second World War era grazing became less intensive as it was no longer financially viable for farmers to employ a full time shepherd. Sheep grazing finally ceased in the 1970’s and since this time scrub has gradually encroached on this area. In the 1980’s the Northern Spur lost its designation as biological SSSI as the once floristically diverse calcareous grassland of this area was invaded by rank grasses and scrub,

Trying to quantify the rate at which natural succession has occurred is difficult. The land use survey, carried out between 1930 and 1936 gives an indication of the land use pre sheep removal (see the Elton report, 1989 for more details) It shows a fairly even split of quarry waste sites and meadowland. Interestingly it only shows 1 active quarry site. In the Middle Ages the Spur was thought to have 24 small quarries, all employing masons to work the stone. The Northern Spur is still quarried, but is no longer the important resource that it was in the 1880’s when it was thought to employ upwards of 200 men. The number of men employed and size of the quarries changes with

21 each decade, and currently there are 2 active quarries in this area of the hillfort. Aerial photographs taken in the 1940’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s all show the gradual and progressive encroachment of scrub, especially on the ramparts. The increase in visitor numbers especially since 1975, when it was designated Country Park, has had a distinct effect on the land; increasing erosion and littering, whilst making the reintroduction of sheep grazing problematic. In more recent years, management efforts have led to the removal of significant amounts from the ramparts and vast improvements to the quality of the grassland in this area, especially below the War Memorial.

The reintroduction of sheep grazing to enclosed areas has significantly contributed to these improvements and a moderately diverse sward now exists in places. Re-designation as a Biological SSSI is however unlikely due to the heavy user pressure experienced within the compartment. The dynamic nature of scrub encroachment means that this effort must be continued to maintai n the habitat mosaic of the compartment and the biodiversity it supports. The quarry has been granted a further extraction licence, and the ranger team have and will be consulted on the reinstatement of the landscape post quarrying activity.

Compartment 2: The Plateau Fields

After intensive settlement during the Iron Age, the interior of the hillfort, was under agriculture from the 3rd century. (Dunning 1974:211). In Medieval times the monks farmed sheep on their demesne. Then in the 16th century, with the fragmentation of the estate, corn was grown by the new lay occupiers. The hilltop fields were still under arable in 1632, when Sir Robert Phelips was being encouraged to plough more in order to increase his income. Arable farming is attested in the 19th century historical sources (noted as arable farming by J. Trask) and later witnessed in the 20th century photographic record. In 1923 Montacute House was given to the National Trust (after its purchase by Mr Ernest Cook) and much of the estates land was sold off in lots.

Quarrying on Ham Hill, which has expanded over 2 millennia, has intruded eastwards onto the farmland and has reached the present western margin of Stroud’s Hill West Meadow. The fields of the Plateau are thought to have been delimited at different times. On Crocker’s 1827 diagram of the hillfort 3 areas are named; Stroud’s Meadow, The Warren and Butcher’s Hill. The type of field boundary; hedge, wall or fence is unknown. The division of Stroud’s Meadow into its east and west compartments is thought to have occurred between 1827 (as it is not shown on Crocker’s map) and 1838, when it is noted on the Tithe map. Today all the boundaries are sizeable dry stone walls, yet funnily these features are largely ignored in the 19th century records. As already stated all 4 fields were once part of the Montacute Estate. The Jenkins’ from Abbey Farm, Montacute bought the parcels of land (including Witcombe Valley) from Mr Hugh Cannon in 1963 (who purchased them at the original sale of the Montacute Estates land), and later sold Witcombe to South Somerset District Council in 1996. Mr Foot purchased Stroud’s Meadow East, the Warren and Butcher’s Hill from the Jenkins’, and later sold to the District Council in 1999. Their topography and drainage makes them the only area of the hillfort suitable for intensive agricultural practices. It is assumed that in the Iron Age and Roman period at least some of the land was cultivated or used as pasture. Stroud’s Meadow West (owned by the Phelips’ and rented by the Jenkins’ followed by Mr Sedgeman) was managed under DEFRA’s set aside scheme, this has meant that there is still a good seedbank remaining in the top soil and that the field is one of the most floristically diverse in the Country Park. The remaining three fields were power harrowed and sludge injected to enable the growth of cash crops (part of

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CAP: Common Agricultural Policy) including oil seed rape and linseed. For financial reasons the crop was rarely harvested and unfortunately these intensive processes have had detrimental effects on the seedbank of this area. Additionally the depth of ploughing, especially in The Warren field, where the Roman villa remains lay, may have damaged the archaeology.

SSDC purchased Stroud’s Meadow West in 1998 (from the Phelips’) and the remaining three fields in 1999. The fields are now all managed as meadow grasslands and the last five years have seen the popularity of the fields rise for recreational pursuits like walking. Due to the extensive management that now occurs wihtin the field comprising a late summer hay cut and aftermath grazing, the floristic diversity of the sward is gradually improving. However, monitoring is now required to determine whether changes in management alone are likely to bring about full restoration of the grassland to their target BAP habitat types, or whether seed additional and associated ground preparation are required. Over the past five years, The Warren and Butcher’s Hill have been managed as rough meadow, and the late summer topping helps to create suitable nesting conditions for the significant skylark population onsite.

Compartment 3: Witcombe Valley

Historically the valley provided the livelihood for a number of small holders that lived in this area from the late Saxon period through to the 1670’s. Medieval ploughing has created strip lynchets on the remains of the hillfort’s ramparts (north western side of the valley) and patches of nettles further down in the damper valley bottom show the location of animal holding pens and settlements (where the soil has become un-naturally rich in nutrients). The two areas of woodland local to the historical village (Horses Wood and Pit Wood ) would have been used for underwood products e.g. hazel wands and as a food source e.g. sweet chestnuts. For sourcing large timbers and as a place to raise livestock the woodlands would also have been useful e.g. pannage.

In the 18th and 19th centuries the Phelips family (of the Montacute Estate) were thought to try and create parkland with a herd of deer in Witcombe Valley, though little physical evidence remains of this today. Such a project may explain why Horses Wood still survives today and was not removed when agricultural practices intensified. However there is no surviving evidence for the planting or nurturing of veteran trees. As expected the need to increase British food production in the 20th century meant that the suitable (flat and well-drained) areas of Witcombe Valley went under the plough. Wheat was the main crop with occasional barley and a potato break crop. The remaining land was pasture for both cattle and sheep. Under the ownership of the Jenkins’ the land was “set aside” in 1990 (in the five year DEFRA scheme) and then in 1996 after purchase by SSDC the grassland was entered into the ten year DEFRA Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Initial works on site included removal of all internal fencing and erection of a fence around Horses Wood to protect the woodland ground flora from herbivores. The land has now been managed for 17 years as pasture and although further from the car parking area of the Country Park, it remains a popular walking and riding spot.

Compartment 4: Horses Wood.

Evidence for past land use comes mainly from the woodland itself. Evidence includes hazel coppice, the presence and therefore human introduction of Douglas Fir, and some visible ancient field boundaries (field maple) at the southern end of the wood. The Tithe map of 1838 indicates that the

23 woodland belonged to the estate of Montacute House and other associated records show details of leases and timber sales to the Royal Navy. The presence of coppice stools indicates the commencement of this practice, probably hundreds of years ago. Feasibly coppicing could have started thousands of years ago, as prehistoric man did have settlements only half a mile away, however there is no evidence for stools being much older than a few years in this particular area. It is suggested that the laurel and coniferous species found in Horses Wood were planted by the Victorians in an attempt to increase the perceived aesthetic value of the woodland and provide cover for game. The last five years have seen the continuing of coppicing in the woodland and a corresponding improvement in the quality of the ground flora. Bird boxes of various types have been erected and are used annually. The compartment has more recently been managed as a low intervention area, and the exclusion of grazers means that natural processes are operating and contributing to the functioning of the woodland.

Compartment 5: Pit Wood.

Pit Wood‘s more recent history is best understood by looking at the species composition of the area. There is a mix of native and non-native species, indicating possible Victorian planting of laurel, rhododendron and exotic conifers, the mix of wild and ornamental species is thought to have been created to “improve” the landscape and view for people travelling, in carriages, from Montacute House, to the then boating lake at the south of the wood, now Pit Pond (privately owned). The entire site was part of the extensive Montacute Estate and was once totally wooded. Its primary function was for game rearing and was where the Montacute Estate’s hunting and shooting parties were centred. This theory is backed by the presence of “Keepers Cottage”, whose paddock, running south into the wood was then the only grassland. Many tracks and rides were cut for ease of access; many of these are still in use today. The turn of the 20th century map shows woodland in the north east corner as divided into many sections, delimited by dashed lines; maybe this is a fenceline separating stock pens or pannage, or it could represent an active coppice coupe system. Also marked is Pit Cottage, a structure no longer in existence. The 1924 estate sale map still shows the entire site as wooded and clearance is likely to have occurred during the war, in an effort to stockpile timber and increase the amount of viable agricultural land. During the Second World War ash was selectively felled for airframes, explaining the current species composition, and even aged stands on the site. Most recently the previous owners “Woodhouse Farm” grazed the site with cattle, on removal of the herd the ground flora flourished.

Over the past five years further tree planting has occurred, both to extend the area of peripheral native woodland around the central grassland core and introduce a shrub layer into the existing woodland. Here, non-native sycamore removal continues to be undertaken in order to restore the unit to semi-natural woodland and the ground flora is responding with increasing abundances of ancient woodland indicator species such as primrose and bluebell. The historic grassland track through the centre of the woodland is maintained and includes an original hamstone gatepost.

Compartment 6: Hedgecock Hill Woods.

Hedgecock Hill Woods are owned in part by SSDC as part of the Country Park, but the major proportion is owned by a private individual who lives in London. The Woodland was once part of the Shuldham Estate until the 1980’s whereupon it was sold, it is believed to have been in the ownership of a pensions company and then passed into the ownership of the private individual. Within

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Hedgecock Woods there are the remains of a dry stone wall now in a ruinous condition, the wall was constructed, in the early 17th century, under the order of Sir Edward Phelips (of the Montacute Estate) to mark the parish boundary of Stoke sub Hamdon and Montacute. During the time of Sir Edward it is also thought that he ordered the construction of a deer park, “the new park”, to have included the woodland on the eastern side of Hamdon hillfort and possibly some of Hedgecock woods. In the 18th century a “coach road” ran from Montacute, passing under St. Michael’s mount and headed towards Ham Hill. The exact route of this trackway is unknown, but it is likely that it passed through at least the top north-eastern corner of Hedgecock woods. Much like Pit Wood it is thought that the Victorians “improved” Hedgecock by planting exotic tree species, the following exert is from the RCHME report on Ham Hill:

“The present wood contains a number of isolated, mature monkey puzzle trees whose presence may indicate that a century or more ago the woodland was also perceived as having ornamental qualities”. In 1926 the ramparts were damaged by the construction of a reservoir (ST 48641688) to provide the village of Stoke sub Hamdon with water. It is likely that the crumbling remains of a pump house near this site are associated with this feature. Hedgecock Hill Woods has an area of conifer plantation, it is believed that this area is now owned by a gentleman in London and the Country Park team have informed him that safety works are required on the pump house and on a majority of the tree stock. A popular bridle way runs along the northern edge of the woods and the Country Park team keep a close eye on the maintenance of this path despite it being outside of the Country Parks boundary. Recent works over the past five years have sought to gradually remove the tree cover along the middle rampart in order to improve the floristic diversity of the ground flora whilst also protecting the Iron Age ramparts from damage due to tree fall. Non-native laurel has been removed where present.

Natural England HLS Agreement The Country Park was up until April 2010 under Countryside Stewardship. Since then the site is in a contract with Natural England (NE) under a Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement which consists of a ten year annual payment programme and three capital works grants of three year durations. A continuation of the latter however is currently unavailable due to financial constraints but the Countryside Team will continue to seek entry into new rounds if eligible.

A Farm Environment Plan was completed of the entire site with the assistance of the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) and used to inform the targeted management works and associated annual funding. HHCP falls within the Yeovil scarplands joint character area (JCA) which has a set of associated targets and management options. All applications are scored directly against the targeting statement for that particular area. The targeting statement for Ham Hill includes the maintenance and restoration of species rich grasslands, management of archaeological sites, opportunities for public access and restoration of ancient woodland. The relevant habitats identified during the assessment that will be subject to maintenance and enhancement through sensitive land management are:

 High environmental value boundaries (F02)  Semi-improved grasslands (GO2)  Lowland calcareous grassland- BAP habitat (G04)  Lowland meadows- BAP habitat (G06)

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 Mixed woodland (T06)  Native semi-natural woodland (T08)

The specific annual payment management options to be carried out as part of the contact are set out below. These have been carefully integrated into the objectives and prescriptions of this management plan which are set out in detail later on.

HC07: Maintenance of woodland: This is to ensure the continued management of tree stock to maintain and enhance woodland processes. Livestock must be excluded and tree protection introduced as necessary. Invasive species require control to ensure that a fully structured woodland develops along with associated open areas such as rides and glades. Soil and ground works are restricted in order to help protect the archaeological earthworks that many of the woodland reside on. An overall canopy cover of between 50 – 100 % comprising of native broadleaf species is desired along with a significant shrub layer cover.

HK06: Maintenance of species-rich semi-natural grassland: Where species-rich grassland already occurs this option aims to maintain and protect them as they are important BAP habitats. Extensive and traditional meadow and pasture management is prescribed with groundworks severely restricted. There is a requirement to control undesirable species that can contribute to degradation in the floristic quality of the sward and particular targets are set for desired sward attributes.

HK07: Restoration of species-rich semi-natural grassland: This option has been targeted at the central grassland core of Pit Wood and the enclosed sections on the ramparts of the Northern Spur. These grasslands have the potential to be species-rich examples of BAP priority habitat grassland types but require restoration management to improve their condition. This may require simple changes to management or more pro-active restoration techniques such as seed additions. Groundworks are again restricted and ambitious targets set for the desired sward characteristics.

There are also a number of capital works as part of the HLS agreement that will contribute to the conservation and protection of features that meet NEs target landscape priorities for the area.

Whilst works primarily focus on the maintenance and enhancement of the habitats and significant ecological assets of the site, they also reflect the archaeological features within the site and the need to balance their preservation with wildlife conservation. This is why the requirements of both the AMP and those set out as part of HLS have been heavily integrated into this management plan and the established management and maintenance programme already delivered onsite.

Monitoring of the habitats that are subject to works will be undertaken to track progress and evaluate success against targets as well as inform where management may need to be adapted to improve condition.

Landscape context of Ham Hill Country Park HH is situated within the Yeovil Scarplands (no. 140) within the Landscape character description by NE. This describes a ‘varied landscape of hills, wide valley bottoms, ridgetops and combes untied by scarps of Jurassic limestone’, with building materials including primarily Ham Hill stone and a land use of low-lying arable land and wooded ‘steep ridges and combes’.

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Management will continue to sympathise with this landscape character and where possible seek to enhance it and HLS provides a useful framework within which to achieve this. It should however be noted that, Ham Hill Country Park is a unique site within the landscape and cannot be entirely described by this character description. Past historical land use and the modern day use of the site by wildlife as well as for recreation means that management and the vision for certain areas of the site will not always be relevant or appropriate to this description.

It is intended that management of the site will also contribute to other landscape scale conservation schemes such as the strategic Nature Areas set out in the South West Nature Map. These outline areas where BAP habitats already exist along with areas with potential to restore, recreate and reconnect these important habitats. Ham Hill Country Park falls within these areas and the significant woodland and grassland habitats contribute to landscape scale conservation objectives.

For example, the HLS management option to restore calcareous grassland on the Northern Spur ramparts integrates with the South Somerset Grassland Habitat Action Plan which seeks to restore or re-create Lowland Calcareous grassland and Lowland Meadows within SNAs and maintain existing extent of these important semi-natural habitats.

Although not linked, the habitat types identified by HLS are those that relate to the relevant Strategic Nature Areas for the area around Ham Hill and therefore management works on site have the potential to provide far wider reaching benefits. This helps to provide evidence of the importance of the Country Park as a significant core element within a larger green infrastructure network and it is hoped that this will recognised in the proposed SSDC Green Infrastructure Strategy. This recognition of the site’s strategic nature will contribute to the case that the Country Park serves as infrastructure that supports development, therefore making it more eligible to receive offsite contributions, likely to be delivered through the new Community Infrastructure Levy.

Site management evaluation It is important to evaluate the management and activities that been undertaken onsite over the past five years in order to inform the development of the plan for the coming five years. Maintenance activities will be continued as appropriate and works required to fully deliver objectives still outstanding will be included to ensure continuity and more effective management. Resource constraints are largely responsible where the full completion of works has not been possible.

A thorough and structured management and maintenance regime is now established that seeks to address the ecological, archaeological and recreational demands of the Country Park. The Ranger Team are skilled in ensuring a balanced and integrated work programme is carried out and significant improvements in many habitats on site has occurred as a result. This has been recognised through the repeated awarding of Green Flag status reflecting the high quality of if the park and the service the Ranger Team provide. Particular successes are the improvements in the floristic diversity of the Stroud Fields following the re-introduction of an extensive traditional management regime. The communities now present contribute to the units providing high quality examples of this BAP priority habitat grassland type. The abundance of skylarks within the rougher meadows on the Plateau Fields has highlighted the success of this targeted habitat management. The on-going restoration of Pit Wood is proving successful with the ground flora responding strongly to the canopy management and thinning operations being undertaken.

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This work, now structured within the HLS agreement will enable the continuing enhancement of ecological resources onsite whilst also contributing to protection of archaeological features.

The Ranger Team continue to seek operational efficiencies which will contribute to the continuation of the high service level already achieved. Through the delivery of a highly successful Lottery Funded project and employment of an Education and Access officer, opportunities for community engagement were significant. These included the delivery of numerous events, activities and school sessions as well as outreach into the wider community.

Unfortunately capacity to deliver such opportunities at that level is currently not available following the completion of the project. The Ranger Team continue to provide a successful events programme, annual fayre and school sessions and public satisfaction levels are high. The team recognise however, the challenge in balancing the delivery of these with the management requirements of the large and complex site.

A significant opportunity within which to increase this capacity for community engagement and outreach is through the use of volunteers. A regular and successful practical volunteer team provides much needed support to the practical management onsite but the Ranger Team are keen to provide alternative opportunities to become involved in the park that would provide this capacity. It would also help to increase the presence of the Ranger Team and the profile of the site which at times is felt is not sufficiently recognised by the public. The long established Friends of Ham Hill Country Park group has the potential to provide a useful platform on which to generate greater involvement with the site and engage with visitors and other site users.

There are several key threats to the quality of the site and the level of service delivered by the Ranger Team.

The impact of invasive and non-native species in areas across the site require intensive management intervention to control and left unabated threaten the diversity of native flora present and the species they support. Tree pathogens have the potential to significantly affect the quality of the woodlands on site and the overall landscape character. The long term protection of the archaeological feature onsite particularly the Iron Age ramparts continues to depend on large scale and often intensive woodland management and grassland restoration. Although significant and successful works have been undertaken, the expansion of scrub continues to threaten to degrade the quality of these resources. With increasing visitor pressure and uncertainties regarding the operational capacity of the team in the future due to financial and resource constraints, this threat continues to prevail. The presence of several small isolated fragments of some important habitats means that their capacity to support viable populations is more at risk as they are likely to be less resilient to future pressures and degradation. It is therefore important to identify where connectivity both onsite and with the wider countryside can be improved. This is particularly relevant where land use changes in the surrounding landscape are reducing the extent of biodiverse semi-natural habitats. The site could therefore be viewed as a refuge of good quality habitat in an increasingly isolated landscape.

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Biological Data Each compartment’s floral and faunal composition is described below. There are significant differences between the level of information and detail of biological data available for each compartment. Where NVC surveys have been completed, the plant communities are clear, but many areas have not been surveyed to NVC detail. In 2004 the Yeovil and District Natural History Society (now Yeovil and District Area Group of the Somerset Wildlife Trust began surveying the entire Country Park to establish a species list based on presence and absence. In December 2012 the total recorded species stood at 2056, broken down into the following taxonomic groups.

Mammals 11 Reptiles and Amphibians 2 Birds 82 Invertebrates 973 Flowering Plants 356 Ferns 12 Horsetails 2 Lichens 87 Fungi 531

Work continues to feed into this report and provides the Rangers with valuable information on species presence and absence throughout the Country Park. In addition, increased monitoring and surveying activities over the next five years will contribute to a more detailed baseline of current habitat condition across the Country Park. This will particularly focus on areas currently undergoing habitat enhancement and restoration, enabling the impact of management to be monitored. These areas along with appropriate survey methodologies are outlined later in the management plan.

The recent habitat assessment as part of the establishment of the HLS agreement has been useful i n providing an initial broad baseline assessment of habitat extent and condition. It has identified where scarce resources should be targeted to achieve the greatest biodiversity gain, something advocated in the South Somerset Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP).

Compartment 1: The Northern Spur

A patchwork of calcareous grassland and scrub islands. Where succession proceeds un-checked, deciduous woodland has developed. Data Source: Habitat and Wildlife Survey, December 1989. Author Deborah Elton. Coverage only of the 1975 Country Park site.

The Northern Spur was, and still is, a mosaic of habitats. The main types include broadleaf woodland, scrub, grassland (short sward), bracken, tall herb, bare ground and rock, and artificial surfaces. In 1989 the ramparts were wooded, the Spur’s interior was dominated by scrub, and grassland only existed in the areas heavily used by people (and rabbits), consequently its ecological value was low. Today the majority of the inner ramparts have been cleared of woodland, most of the scrub has been cleared leaving islands for bird nesting, and the grassland has extended following the reintroduction of sheep grazing. There follows a brief description for each vegetation type:

Broadleaf woodland: Found on the lower ramparts the canopy is composed of sycamore, oak, ash and occasional sweet chestnut. The underwood layer is mainly coppiced hazel and elder. Because of

29 the steep slopes of the ramparts primroses and violets have a protected habitat here and are successful on the woodland floor.

Scrub: Almost totally dominated by thorn species, hawthorn and blackthorn with occasional elder. In scrub islands close to the rampart woodland hazel has migrated upslope. This vegetation stand is usually impenetrable. This vegetation type is actively removed; ecologically it is less valuable and diverse than the calcareous grassland that it out-competes. Since 1989 this stand type has been greatly reduced, work is completed by hand to prevent damaging subterranean earthworks and outside the main bird nesting season.

Grassland: A highly diverse, tightly knit, low growing sward of rosette species and stress tolerant grasses. In the 1980’s Ham Hill lost its designation as a botanical SSSI principally as a result of the removal of the grazing livestock allowing the encroachment of the aforementioned scrub. Consequently only small islands of this valuable grassland remained. The removal of scrub and re- introduction of a light grazing pressure has encouraged the regeneration of the grassland species from the seedbank and via colonisation from the surviving fragments.

The work of the Ranger Team centres on halting the invasion of the scrub and woodland climax communities, interrupting succession, and promoting the regeneration of the high diversity plagioclimax grassland. Such works are often contentious and the Ranger Team occasionally receives complaints about its felling policy. However conservation is about prioritisation and predictive ecology, and we understand that by far the rarest and most fragile habitat is the calcareous grassland and therefore efforts to preserve it are prioritised. This will also contribute to conservation efforts in the wider context with this habitat type being a UK BAP priority habitat. Monitoring will now be key in ensuring that the habitat continues to support the characteristic flora associated with the nutrient poor, lime rich soils and the presence of nationally scarce species.

The removal of scrub and woodland on the Northern Spur is not a process of clear felling. Patches of scrub have been left and the lower ramparts of the hillfort have been left wooded. Consequently the Northern Spur is effectively still a mosaic of habitats (now dominated by grassland), corridors of mature trees link larger fragments of woodland both inside and outside the Park’s perimeter. The remaining patches of scrub provide cover for wildlife and probably increase faunal diversity within the Spur.

At certain points within the Northern Spur there exist small areas dominated by bracken. They are uniform stands (monocultures) usually on the most inaccessible scarps, including the ramparts. At these points the livestock cannot nibble down the new shoots, and the rhizomes successfully spread.

A tall herb layer exists only in the non-grazed area of the Northern Spur. This is the honey pot area around the ranger’s office where the Victorian quarry spoil heaps are most evident. Here a very interesting and varied sward has developed. On the steep sides of the mounds long, tussocky, grass dominated vegetation has developed. Whereas on the tops of the mounds and on the winding trails that link each mound the sward is very short and dominated by rosette species like plantain and dandelion. In places this vegetation is so worn by human footfall, mountain bikers and rabbits that no species at all have been able to survive and the orange soils are exposed as scars on the landscape. There is a huge dichotomy in diversity here and further research is required to better understand the spatial distribution of species. This may well form the basis of an interesting and

30 useful project for a student to complete over the summer. During this period, the tussocky grassland is awash with flowers including small scabious and bird’s foot trefoil.

As a geological SSSI you can expect a certain amount of bare ground and rock. Throughout the Northern Spur there are a number of small crags (between 6’ and 15’ high) still exposed after the abandonment of quarrying. These rock faces gradually become colonised by pioneer species and in the areas with minimal humus there are beautiful colonies of lichens. With the continuation of quarrying on site new rock faces are constantly being exposed – few remain so and become colonised, but there is a sufficient amount of surface area for them to represent a significant habitat of this area. Current quarrying practice tends to leave gently sloping mounds of spoil, not steep cliffs, for health and safety reasons. These mounds quickly integrate into the grassland habitat of the Spur. To summarise on the Northern Spur, several stages of succession are illustrated; bare rock with pioneer species, through plagioclimax grassland to natural climax woodland.

The fauna associated with this area of the Country Park could be expected to be limited because of the intensity of use by the public. However the amount of wildlife recorded in the 1989 survey and most recently in 2012 was gratifying. Invertebrates feature particularly heavily in the survey including 30 species of butterfly being recorded, over 50% of all species regularly seen in Somerset. It is the mosaic of habitats and patchiness of the landscape that is attributed to this invertebrate richness. For many species the Northern Spur offers each type of habitat required at each instar of their life, in close proximity to one another. In the case of vertebrates 70 species of bird were recorded. Foxes, badgers, bats, roe deer and slow worms are all residents of the Northern Spur area. Further research is required into the current populations of vertebrates in response to the changes in area of various habitat types particularly with regard to small mammals.

Compartment 2: The Plateau Fields

Four meadowland fields of varying floral quality. Data Source: “Landscape and Habitat Survey, Stroud’s Hill, West Meadow” by John Stow, April 2000.

Although described together, each of the four fields have been subject to different management in the past and are at different stages of grassland development and restoration. Despite this the fields have the same bedrock and soils, and it is hoped that they will continue to increase in floral diversity becoming areas of increasing importance to nature conservation with careful management.

Surveys carried out in the summer of 1999 (on Stroud’s Meadow West) took 2 forms; 4 transects of each side of the field, followed by National Vegetation Classification (NVC) quadrats. (Quadrats (small, square survey areas) are known as relevees within the NVC System. Their size is dependent on the habitat being surveyed.)

Three of the listed species are South Somerset notable species; these include pyramidal orchid, woolly thistle and meadow oat grass. The species list indicates a floristically rich habitat, with old meadowland indicator species e.g. poppies. Preserving this site would contribute a valuable proportion of the extent of lowland hay meadow and pasture in the UK reflected by their inclusion as one of five Habitat Action Plans that were drawn up for the South Somerset Biodiversity Action Plan: lowland neutral hay meadows and pastures. The link between this habitat and the lowland calcareous grassland of the Northern Spur is a significant aspect of Ham Hill’s landscape character.

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Past land management has included attempts to speed recolonisation of the meadows adjacent to Stroud’s meadow west with inputs of seed collected from the site. In the future we need to ensure land management remains non-intensive, with regular surveys to monitor the floristic changes on site to inform whether such restoration techniques need to be employed in the future. It may be that simple changes to the current management are sufficient to bring about an increase in the sward diversity. However, this will need to be balanced with the habitat requirements of the ground nesting skylark which have a significant breeding population across both Butcher’s Hill and The Warren fields.

Compartment 3: Witcombe Valley

Sheep pasture changing from calcareous, on the ramparts, to culm grassland in the valley bottom. Data source: Witcombe Valley Management Plan, April 1997.

The grassland of Witcombe Valley was last surveyed in 1994. The site description is as follows,

“The most herb rich areas of pasture are the steepest upper slopes of the lynchets. Here a calcareous grassland comprising finer wild grasses like common bent (Agrostis capillaris), yellow oat grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum) and the fescues, sheep’s fescue (Festuca ovina) and red fescue, (Festuca rubra) occur. The herb content includes wild thyme (Thymus polytrichus), lady’s bedstraw (Galium verum) and bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)”.

As you move downslope the land becomes wetter and the soil moves through a neutral pH to slightly acidic. The vegetation here is less diverse, and more indicative of old pasture. It is described as culm grassland: a type of wet grassland associated with the Southwest. Particular management prescriptions include a light grazing pressure. Floral surveys are lacking in this area. There is a species list for the calcareous lynchets and woodland zones within the valley, but none exists for the larger habitat fragment of wet grassland. Despite the lower diversity in this area the flora is indicative of a particular and typical sward, and needs preserving. There is also a clump of green hellebore (Helleborus viridis) located near the bottom of the valley, within the confines of what was once the medieval village. It is believed that the plant was thought to have medicinal values and survives as living history. The two grasslands support a plethora of invertebrate life which requires further research. Witcombe Valley is known to support a number of butterfly species.

The grassland is used extensively by birds of prey, for hunting, mainly buzzards. A herd of Roe Deer wanders throughout Witcombe and Pit Wood, and are regularly seen.

Compartment 4: Horses Wood

An island of mainly native deciduous woodland. Data Source: Horses Wood Management Plan, 1999- 2004. The dominant vegetation type changes as you move through the woodland, mainly as a response to topographical changes and past management influences on the site. The north western corner of the site contains the majority of the exotic species on site: a dense stand of laurel (already cleared), many large sweet chestnuts and a few sycamores. The dense canopies of these species have left the ground flora poor and very diminished, with lots of ‘leggy’ elders creating a thin shrub layer. Buckthorn marks an old boundary on the western edge. The upper slope harbours a zone of hazel coppice and oak standards. The ground flora is grassy with a few dicotyledons, but nowhere near the diversity that it should support, mainly because of the recent continuous grazing pressure.

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Nettles are starting to encroach on the woodland from the northerly boundary, possibly due to an accumulation of animal dung from where they shelter on the woodland edge, or the marking of an enriched soil due to an ancient stock compound from the mediaeval village in the valley. Ash becomes more dominant on the southerly slope, as does field maple. An ancient field boundary is marked by warped field maple growth in the southwest corner. Holly and wild pear are also found in this compartment.

A large stand of Douglas fir dominates the north eastern quadrant of the site. Approximately 5 large trees lie central to the compartment and smaller, juvenile, trees are starting to spread upslope, increasing the size of the stand. The ground flora is very poor, and often bramble has taken over. Bracken is found on the woodland edge in the south eastern quadrant, due to the more acidic pH (from dropped pine needles), and the increased shelter offered on the lower slope. The woodland is fairly diverse across its breadth, and throughout the site many ancient woodland indicator species occur. However, natural regeneration rates are low with few or no seedlings being recruited to the populations each year. In order to contribute to a more self-sustaining system regeneration rates need to increase and require more intensive monitoring to inform possible management.

This small fragment of woodland could represent a good patch of semi-natural ancient woodland, however its population of purely mature trees needs managing, the current exclusion of livestock is helping recruitment and regeneration on site. The analysis of NVC survey results (10, 4m x 4m releves) and the floristic tables produce the following vegetation analysis for Horses Wood. Oak, Ash, Hazel woodlands with nettle, Ground Ivy and Festuca groundcover. Mosses common throughout and dense patches of bracken. Hawthorn and sweet chestnut to be found in localised stands. When keyed out you get woodland W8a with Glechoma sub-community: “High forest or coppice with constant Ash and Oak and occasional (sometimes locally dominant) Hornbeam, Lime or suckering elms; Hazel and Hawthorn frequent in the shrub layer, the former often a coppice dominant; field maple frequent in canopy or under storey with occasional dogwood and Rowan scarce; field layer often showing strong vernal dominance of dogs mercury, Bluebell, Anemone or Ramsons; Ferns and bryophytes often sparse”. British Plant Communities, Vol 1”. Rodwell.

The above description applies to the majority of the woodland however downslope woodland type W10 is more applicable: “Quercus robur (oak) dominant in a well defined tree canopy; Hedera helix (ivy) constant in the field layer and often forming a prominent carpet. Other dominant species include Corylus avellana (hazel), Acer campestre (field maple), Fraxinus excelsior (Ash), Pteridium aquilinium (bracken) and Rubus fructicosus agg. (bramble)”. This change in communities is a response to the change in soil types supported along the slope. Upslope, oak and hazel survive well on the thinner, more erosion prone, clayier soils (Bpt: Bridport). Whilst ash and field maple can only survive downslope on the thicker and moister Yeld (Yd1) soils.

Despite its size, Horses Wood is an important faunal site. It has many large badger setts, mainly in the central area, which are currently in use. Being a woodland fragment the number of setts within the woodland may be above the usual density / unit area, for this reason preservation of the site is important, and would provide the public with an accessible site for badger watching. Bat and owl boxes have been erected on site to encourage the roosting and nesting of these groups. Also a number of pairs of buzzards are known to nest on site. Horses Wood also receives visits from the

33 family of approximately 10 Roe Deer that roam Pit Wood and Witcombe Valley. Green Woodpeckers and birds of prey also visit.

The woodland provides excellent invertebrate habitat. The structural diversity, bare earth in sunny patches and log piles are ideal for species with several instars in their life cycle. Recent management intervention of coppicing has proved beneficial to the ground flora, encouraging bluebells and other spring flower growth, a traditional management practice that will be continued.

Compartment 5: Pit Wood.

Mixed site with central grassland core and peripheral woodland zones, each with very different characters. Includes a wet woodland zone to south.

Data Source: Pit Wood Management Plan, 2000-2005. Pit Wood represents a number of different habitat types, approximately 50% of the site is wooded (6.5 ha) although two of the woodland zones are of totally different species compositions.

To the west of the site Corylus avellana (hazel) dominated woodland; the dense coppiced canopy prevents a diverse groundflora development and bare ground comprises much of the zone. Fraxinus excelsior (ash) is abundant in places, with a constant Crataegus monogyna (hawthorn) shrub layer. Quercus (oak) is most frequent in this zone as standards, with other common groundflora and shrub species e.g. Rubus fructicosus agg. (bramble). Prunus laurocerasus (laurel occurs occasionally in the releves, and is abundant in these areas. Dryopteris (fern) is occasional at low abundances. Most species are scarce e.g. Hyacinthoides non-scripta (bluebell), Salix (willow), Lonicera (honeysuckle), and Arctium minus (burdock); also present is Sorbus aria (whitebeam). Thus species of higher conservation value are infrequent and at low abundance; these need encouraging through sensitive management. The area represents an excellent example of Hazel coppice woodland with oak standards, the site has been neglected, but would be easy to restore to a productive state. This area is NVC W10 community: Quercus robur (oak) – Pteridium aquilinium (bracken) – Rubus fructicosus (bramble) woodland, with Corylus avellana (hazel) and Hedera helix (ivy) sub-community. Despite abandonment the area is a nice example of traditionally managed broadleaved woodland; and is a valuable commodity and conservation priority in Somerset.

The woodland to the south west of the site supports a much higher diversity than the other areas of site considering its diminutive size. There are many constant and coexisting species: Fraxinus excelsior (ash) and Corylus avellana (hazel) are the dominant tree and shrub species, but a rotational arrangement of coppiced hazel has allowed a diverse woodland flora to exist.

When studied Castanea sativa (sweet chestnut) only rates as common, but the huge stools give this area its character, and this species dominates when it is present. Most of the Castanea (sweet chestnut) stools are aligned along Pit Wood’s westerly boundary, marking an old hedgerow. Salix (willow) species, usually a rarer component of such dry woodland sites, rates as common in the frequency tables. There are many occasional species present, all common, but Quercus (oak) and Lonicera (honeysuckle) are the more classical elements of this woodland’s diversity. Prunus laurocerasus (laurel) is occasional and of low abundance and currently does not noticeably reduce woodland diversity. Within the scarce species listing, there are many of conservation importance e.g. Acer campestre (field maple) and Hyacinthoides non-scripta (bluebell) (both ancient woodland

34 indicator species), with sensitive management hopefully these species will increase in abundance. From survey work and analysis it is concluded that it represents NVC type W10; Quercus robur (oak)– Pteridium aquilinium (bracken)– Rubus fructicosus (bramble). However within its confines it harbours two different sub communities; a Castanea sativa (sweet chestnut) sub- community, and a Corylus avellana (hazel) – Hedera helix (ivy) sub-community. Again, this woodland represents a good example of a dwindling resource of ancient, semi-natural woodland, in this case with particularly interesting natural features.

The largest woodland pocket is on the eastern side of site and is dominated by Acer pseudoplatanus (sycamore) with sub-dominant Fraxinus excelsior (ash) (a repressed abundance) with the expected constant Hedera helix (ivy) on Fraxinus (ash) specimens. Corylus avellana (hazel) is abundant where found, though less frequent than Crataegus monogyna (hawthorn); of average frequency and abundance. Two moss species, plus Silene dioica (red campion) and Agrostis capillaris (common bent) constitute the most frequent ground cover, with Rubus fruticosus agg. (bramble) a frequent shrub layer component.

All frequent species are groundflora species and are of low abundances; widely distributed at low density, including Primula species, Carex species, Veronica species, Glechoma species and Mercurialis species. Occasional Prunus laurocerasus (laurel) occurs, in very dense (abundant) stands. Ilex (holly), Carex (sedge) and another moss species also occur occasionally at moderate abundances. Scarce species include Malus (apple) species, Quercus (oak) species and other mosses, nearly all at very low abundances. The degree of human intervention at this site makes classification difficult, though NVC W9 seems to be the best representation of the wood’s communities: Fraxinus excelsior (ash)– Hyacinthoides non-scripta (bluebell), Mercurialis perennis (dog’s mercury) subcommunity. It is suggested that the encouragement of woodland type W8 – Oak, Ash, Hazel woodland may be more desirable on this site.

The woodland to the south of the site has the highest diversity, probably due to its high percentage of exotic or non-local tree species including laurel, cypress, larch and ornamental holly. This woodland is composed of many constant species, although Acer pseudoplatanus (sycamore) is by far the most abundant. Corylus avellana (coppiced hazel) makes up most of the scrub layer, whilst the tree canopy is Primula vulgaris (primrose), Silene dioica (red campion), Veronica chamaedrys (germander speedwell) and Geum urbanum (wood avens) are all constant in releves, though at low abundances, further groundflora species are also constant throughout the survey results. Moss species are common and of average abundance, whilst Fraxinus excelsior (ash) and Crataegus monogyna (hawthorn) are also common, but at low abundance (outcompeted by Acer pseudoplatanus, sycamore). Occasional species are of low abundance and include those of conservation importance as indicators e.g. Dryopteris sp.(fern., Carex sylvatica (sedge) and Ilex aquifolium (holly). The great majority of species are scarce and of low abundance e.g. Viola species, Rumex acetosa (dock), Geranium robertianum (herb robert) and Mercurialis perennis (dog’s mercury). The closest NVC community that this area can be compared to is NVC W8: Fraxinus excelsior (ash)– Mercurialis perennis (dog’s mercury) woodland, with Acer pseudoplatanus (sycamore) sub-community.

Although this area is the least natural woodland zone when considering species composition, restoration efforts so far have achieved an increasingly diverse native broadleaf woodland, less

35 dominated by sycamore. Groundflora species are responding to increased light levels and planting of appropriate shrub species such as hazel is contributing to the development of a more natural understory. The extent of the woodland has been expanded through successful community tree planting schemes and many of these trees are now successfully established.

The central grassland core.

This entire area is a mosaic of different grassland types, surrounded by woodland on three sides and newly planted woodland on its fourth. Central is the valley, and the grassland is found mainly on the valley sides. It is believed that the grassland has only existed since the last war, since the area was certainly wooded in 1924, and the site is not ideal for farming so clearance to meet demand for timber is most likely. Since then the site has been used for crops, and to graze cattle; and as such is classified as old pasture. There once existed a motorbike scramble track on the now grassy combes, and in these areas, where the topsoil was eroded away by the tyres, a much more floristically diverse community has developed, in response to the impoverished edaphic conditions.

Dactylis glomerata (cocksfoot) is the dominant species, present in dense tussocks. Common are Ranunculus repens (creeping buttercup) and Holcus lanatus (yorkshire fog); in varying abundance. Where present Pteridium aquilinium (bracken) is abundant, both Urtica dioica (nettles) and Cirsium vulgare (spear thistle) also follow this pattern: monocultures of these species are dotted throughout the grassland. A majority of species are scarce, found only in 1 releve, and with a low abundance; this coexistence and codominance is best illustrated in releve 4; where a high diversity pasture grassland sward has developed, most desirable from a conservation viewpoint. As already discussed this grassland is impossible to classify as a single habitat type; what actually exists is a mosaic of habitats. Combining all the survey results would create an extremely misleading habitat type; a medium diversity homogenous sward, whereas what actually exists are adjoining monocultures of bracken (species richness 2) and high diversity pasture grassland swards (species richness 17). The sites past management for high productivity also greatly affects the survey results. In this case use of a key and categories is no help. Since historical records show that the grassland core was once woodland, and the current grassland habitat is a low conservation priority, management has included programmes of tree planting to encourage the re-development of the original woodland boundaries. This has involved the removal of heavy grazing pressures and monitoring of the regeneration of the area. By encouraging the expansion of the woodland fragments an area of habitat with capacity to support larger more viable populations of faunal species is created.

Wet Woodland and Tufa Stream.

This is a small (3-4 acres) area of habitat totally different in nature to the rest of Pit Wood. This patch of wet woodland with a tufa stream running through it is thought to represent a nationally important habitat type; South Somerset’s Biodiversity Action Plan lists such areas as target habitats and gives an action plan for its conservation. The NVC survey was carried out by Alistair Tuckey in August and September 1999.

Fraxinus excelsior (ash) and Alnus glutinosa (alder) are the only species present in all five releves, their abundances are average, as are the canopy cover figures. Both these species are illustrative of wet woodland, however two invasive species also exist within the woodland: Acer pseudoplatanus (sycamore) and Prunus laurocerasus (laurel), the latter shading lower shrub and groundflora species.

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Only Poa trivialis (rough meadow grass) and Urtica dioica (stinging nettles) are further classified as constant species, and hold no particular importance. Hedera helix (ivy) and Corylus avellana (hazel) are both common, but only at very low abundances. Occasional species include Carex remota (Sedge), Primula vulgaris (primrose) and Dryopteris filix-mas (male fern); though Chrysosplenium oppositifolium (opposite leaved golden saxifrage) is by far the most interesting species in this category, its abundance figures extend up to 7 as it exists in broad swathes in suitable zones. Also present is Salix tiandra (almond willow), though only at very low abundance’s. Scarce species include various mosses and liverworts and dry woodland invasive species e.g. Pteridium aquilinium (bracken) and Rubus fructicosus agg (bramble).

This zone best reflects NVC community W7a; Alnus glutinosa (alder) – Fraxinus excelsior (ash) – Lysimachia nemorum (yellow pimpernel) woodland, Urtica dioica (nettles) – Galium aparine (cleavers) subcommunity. This hypothetical community, like the actual community is illustrated by ground carpets of Ranunculus repens (buttercup) and Chrysosplenium oppositifolium (opposite leaved golden saxifrage). The compartment lies in a topographical hollow; its high water table and meandering stream has allowed the development of a deep peat deposit on the surface. Slow organic deposition has created slightly acidic edaphic conditions, and a nutrient deficient turf, all unique to the local area. Conservation attention will focus on this habitat ensuring its survival. Locally conditions are free draining and pH neutral or alkaline, consequently this habitat island of boggy, acidic peat, becomes even more valuable. The habitat extends along the south eastern boundary of Witcombe Valley. Currently the entire area is enclosed by stock proof fencing and is a non-intervention area.

In addition to considering the terrestrial wet woodland habitat we must also look at the conservation of the stream running through this zone. Many notable and protected species are associated with small headwater streams e.g. fresh-water crayfish, and a sensitive approach to this open water habitat is essential.

Faunal analysis for Pit Wood:

The contrasting range of habitat types found on site infers that a massive diversity of invertebrate groups will be present, ranging between short sward, warmth loving species, bare earth species, canopy species, dead wood detritivores, shrub and ecotone species, coppice associated species, wetland species and waterborne species. The total diversity is likely to be large, and the charismatic species are also well represented including dragon and damsel flies (Odonata), using the grassland for hunting, and breeding around Pit Pond (to the south of the site). Grasshoppers (Orthoptera) are in huge abundance in the grassland in high summer, and butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) are also obvious in the summer months. Research into the species present, rarity, food preferences etc. may help to establish Pit Wood as a valuable invertebrate site, and offer up suggestions for management in the future.

Although no formal surveys were completed many vertebrate species are conspicuous; many leaving behind obvious scats or tracks. The grassland provides the ideal place for deer to “lay-up” through the day, on a majority of visits, groups of up to 9 individual roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) were seen. Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are also common to the grassland and grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinesis) in the woodland. Woodland pockets are swamped by enormous badger (Meles meles) earthworks; the dense hazel coppice canopy has rendered the woodland floor barren and here the

37 badger’s have created huge and complex sett networks. Very little is known about the sites avian fauna although pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) are regularly heard and seen. Buzzards (Buteo buteo) are known to nest in the woodland, and their distinctive call is often heard. Woodpeckers are also present on the site, most frequently seen is the green woodpecker (Picus viridis). Pit Wood has been used for the last three years as a fox cub release site. With approval from neighbouring land owners rescued fox cubs are penned in the corner of site and fed for two weeks before being released into the countryside. The programme has been of mixed success, with most cubs escaping before the end of the two weeks.

Compartment 6: Hedgecock Hill Woods.

A mixed woodland strip: varies from native coppice to conifer plantation.

The strip of Hedgecock Hill Woods has survived on the ramparts of Ham Hill because of its unsuitability for agricultural practices. It is assumed that the native deciduous woodland developed on the ramparts once the hillfort fell into dis-use and the slopes were no longer cleared for defensive purposes or for fuel for the inhabitants of the fort. At this time Oak, Hazel and Ash all recolonised the rampart slopes. There is evidence for the coppicing of hazel quite recently and some huge ash and hazel stools attest to historical woodland management of the area. In the late 19th century and early 20th century many exotic species were introduced to the wood to improve its aesthetic qualities. These include laurel and monkey-puzzle. Additionally a large stand of Douglas fir was planted for commercial reasons at the eastern end of the site. Numerous dry stone walls wind through the woods, historically used to mark parish boundaries, these now provide excellent habitats for invertebrates and small mammals. Whilst lower plants and ferns thrive here. As the largest woodland fragment within the Country Park Hedgecock is of vital importance for the sites fauna. However, it requires sympathetic management to maintain this habitat value whilst ensuring the protection of the underlying ramparts and safety of visitors.

Community Public Use The entire Country Park is heavily used throughout the year by the public. Certain areas are more heavily used than others; for example the area around the Ranger’s Office where there is easy car parking, toilets and barbeque plinths, experiences heavier visitor use than more remote areas of the park, like Witcombe Valley. In addition to private individuals using the site for recreational purposes, a number of societies and local interest groups utilise the Country Park for studies, meetings and outings. The Rangers are keen to identify these groups to help coordinate more formally their use of the site so that they get the most out of their visit. Local scout groups use the woodland’s for bivouacking, orienteering events are held regularly as are cross country running meets.

The Country Park has attractions for many groups, and once a risk assessment and a copy of their insurance is held by the Ranger Team then groups are generally able to run events e.g. orienteering competitions. Climbers now regularly use the SSSI geological exposure for top roped climbing. This disused quarry face provides a single pitch route and through the summer months is in use most evenings. Yeovil climbing club visit every Tuesday evening and there can be upwards of 30 people on site and climbing. If users access the site responsibly then climbing can be a low impact sport. No

38 anchor points are permitted in the top of the face and climbers use trees to tie off their ropes. The state of the rock face is monitored regularly to identify whether the feature is being degraded through recreational use. The District Council accept no liability for climbers using the site and with advice from the British Mountaineering Council signs have not been erected. Climbing will continue on site and will be monitored by the Ranger Team; the activities of climbers keep the rock faces free of vegetation and maintain the SSSI in a desirable state.

Dog walkers are by far the largest user group at the Country Park. The expansion of the Country Park has seen an increase in the distance people will travel to walk to the site and the Plateau fields are very popular dog walking and exercise areas. This also helps to demonstrate how HHCP serves as strategic open access greenspace site within the area. Dogs are not excluded from any part of the Country Park land, but whilst sheep are grazing particular units, owners are asked to keep them on a lead. The rangers provide free poop scoop bags from the Ham Hill Centre and there are 30 dog bins located around the site for use. Throughout the summer months in the Plateau Fields, signs are erected on access gates asking dog owners to keep to the paths to prevent disturbance to ground nesting skylark. The regular dog walkers are the eyes and ears of the Country Park and the Ranger Team strive to maintain positive relations with all users. It has always been dog walkers that report when irresponsible owners are not clearing up, or if they know they let their dogs run with the sheep. The SSDC enforcement officers work closely with Ranger Team to carry out fixed penalty notices to force responsible recreation at the Country Park.

The popularity of the sport of mountain biking has grown over recent years and the Country Park offers many opportunities for the sport. Most often riders are attracted to the mounds of the Northern Spur. A designated mountain bike area behind Limekiln car park provides the terrain for this sport. However many bikers continue to ride in more popular and sensitive areas and the Rangers must therefore remain vigilant in managing this. In the future there is a desire to develop a leaflet aimed specifically at bikers, showing them a variety of local off road, circular, cycling loops across the wider countryside.

There are six obvious car parks within the Country Park, but many more pull ins and roadside parking spots have developed over the years. The major car parks hold around 300 cars, but they are not line marked and have a gravel surface. Parking is free at the Country Park and all car parks fall onto land owned by the Duchy or Shuldham Estate and under the terms of the land management agreement the District Council could not gather any income here. Since the acquisition of the Plateau fields and Witcombe Valley dog walkers in particular wish to park nearer to these access points to let their dogs off to run. As a result, a car park is proposed in this area to alleviate road side parking issues.

Discussions with the Highway Authority have clarified that there is no scope for yellow lines or traffic calming, so the Rangers manage this issue by placing hamstone boulders along verges where parking is dangerous or detrimental to the Country Park. The Country Park is always going to need to provide parking due to its strategic nature and distance from the major town of Yeovil and other villages. The village of Stoke sub Hamdon is closest and served by a bus service but that still requires a 10 minute steep climb up to the park and therefore many visitors drive to site.

Ham Hill Country Park offers a combination of experiences; from short circular walks on flat surfaced trails including an all ability surfaced path to longer walks on natural land surfaces across more difficult terrain. The policy on site remains to always use gates and not stiles. The 1 mile all ability

39 trail is very popular locally; used by buggies and wheelchairs and work to maintain this will be undertaken as necessary. It is especially important to complete this stretch of trail as it leads to the war memorial where the Remembrance Sunday service is held every year.

As the Country Park becomes more popular as a recreational site the Rangers have trialled new ways of communicating with the public users. Particularly relevant is making dog owners aware of which units are being grazed by sheep. To this end new wooden notice boards are being developed that fix to each entry gate to the Country Park. These boards can hold information posters on sheep movements, up and coming events or other matters e.g. management works. The Ranger Team have found that as long as you take the time and effort to communicate with the public, most projects and difficulties can be overcome.

As a result of public demand, a weekend Ranger position will continue to be provided during the busier summer months with the Ham Hill Centre being open to the public during this time. Hands on history sessions were laid on and many arts and crafts sessions. This post is kindly funded by the Friends of Ham Hill group and this is greatly appreciated.

Education Through the successful delivery of the Learning and Discovery for all project, the County Park was able to engage with many school groups and children through activities focussed around the wildlife and history of the site. In 2009, the final year of the project, a total of 71 events were organised, over 3350 children visited the park and 52 ranger led education sessions were delivered. The capacity with which to do this was provided by the Heritage Lottery Funded position of an Education and Access Officer. The Ham Hill Centre which opened in 2006 contributed to this capacity to provide such community engagement opportunities and has successfully continued to do subsequent to the project ending.

The development of an education pack for site, and its availability on the website helped to formalise the Country Park as learning resource benefiting both pupils and teachers. Through focussed marketing and developing diverse and interesting schemes the park attracts many diverse groups. Excluded pupils attend with the Pupil Referral Unit, walks are organised to get groups out and active, schools study National Curriculum areas, heritage fayres raise awareness about local history, community projects get local schools and groups working together and participating in joint projects. The Centre has become the hub of the Country Park. An outdoor classroom providing 35 seats, increasing the number of pupils the centre can accommodate and is the ideal location from which to begin guided walks, deliver group talks as well as providing additional seating for visitors.

The Ranger Team are now keen to maintain the momentum generated by the recent project and the work of the Education and Access Officer. However, the capacity with which to deliver similar numbers of events and education sessions is currently not available due to the demands on the Rangers to complete the land management work programme. Public satisfaction is still very high as indicated from visitor surveys and event feedback forms and in 2012, over 20 events were delivered with over 1500 children attending organised activities across the year. The development of the Friends of Ham Hill group is seen as a potential way to increase this capacity through the recruitment and training if necessary of volunteers willing to deliver sessions, lead talks and guided walks and provide administration and resourcing support to the Ranger Team. This is something that

40 will be investigated and developed over the next five years and may take the form of a separately funded formal project.

Interpretation There has been considerable progress towards increasing the range of interpretative materials for the Country Park. Map panels are erected in the main car parks displaying an artist’s map of the full Country Park site to help people orientate themselves and provide a start point for exploring the site. Panels displaying heritage interpretation are also provided depicting pictorially (using artists impressions) different periods of the hill’s history. There are 2 Iron Age panels, one showing Iron Age life in Strouds West, and one re-creating how the Iron Age ramparts would have looked on the Northern Spur. The Roman panel is in the Warren field and uses the villa floor plan to recreate the villa in its heyday. The Medieval panel is in Witcombe Valley and shows how the valley would have looked full of houses over 400 years ago. The final Victorian panel is located on the Northern Spur and shows the busy industrial landscape of quarrymen at work. The panels are designed to interpret the landscape that the visitor is looking at, helping them to better understand and appreciate how the diverse landscape of the Country Park was formed.

The Ranger Team now recognise the need to upgrade these panels and refurbish those which are looking tired. Whilst much of the artwork can remain, more up to date information based on recent findings from the archaeological digs should be integrated in to the panels. There is also a need to provide more interpretative material on the ecology found on site including the many important species and habitats that occur within the Country Park. This will help to raise awareness of the site’s significance for biodiversity and the need to use it responsible and provides a context for the management work that can often be observed being undertaken on site.

This work will be complemented by updating of the website to provide an even greater range of up to date and relevant information that will help visitors get the most out of their visit. A re-design of the site leaflet is also planned and this again will help refresh the site, hopefully encouraging more visitors to explore Ham Hill Country Park. The currently provided Ham Hill Herald publication is a large booklet that gives an introduction to all aspects of the Country Park with history, geology, wildlife and self-guided walks sections. It forms part of the layered approach to interpretation employed at the Country Park; basic information is provided in the in the Herald; more detailed information on the panels and even further information available from the Ranger’s Office in the form of the education and information pack and on the website.

With the continuing growth in recreational pursuits at the park, and increasing public interest in wildlife, and wildlife conservation, the Ranger Team will focus on developing a series of themed leaflets that focus on one angle, or feature of the park namely the ecology and historical heritage of the site. These can be used on self-guided trails that take in particularly interesting or significant features and habitats. Both the South Somerset Countryside Steering Group and Friends of Ham Hill contain local experts on various subjects who will be asked to advise and contribute to the text and features to include in such a series.

In addition to the natural Hamstone exposures and features of interest there are two distinct sculptures on site. The Timestones, created by Evie Body, are two carved standing stones erected near to the entrance of Stroud’s Meadow West. The stones are designed to reflect the spirit and historical past of Ham Hill, and are based on the design for a Bronze Age axe and the design of an

41 excavated Iron Age bucket handle. The stones are aligned so that the sun rises on midsummers morning and falls through the hole on the round stone and lights up the axe head behind. The stone circle on the Northern Spur was erected by quarry operator Richard England. Thirteen standing stones are erected as a memorial to all the men and women who have worked in the quarries of Ham Hill over the years.

A geology guide to Ham Hill written by Hugh Prudden is available from the Ranger’s Office and gives detailed information on the formation of hamstone and its uses, taking the reader on a tour of the geological features of site.

Community The centre and Ranger Office provide a front of house location for the public to access the Ranger Team and raise queries or leave feedback. The centre also serves as a clear orientation point where leaflets can be obtained prior to exploring the park.

The Ranger Team continue to run a diverse events programme based at the Country Park. Events typically range from Bronze Age axe metal workshops to children’s hands on history Iron Age play schemes. Badger walks, and close up wildlife watching events, are increasingly popular as are bush craft play schemes. Holiday activities for children range from history sessions to bug hunting and an increasing number of art based sessions. Willow weaving, and craft workshops along with more typical seasonal events such as pumpkin carving continue to be successful.

At the end of every year the success of the year’s events is evaluated, based on both the attendance numbers and feedback forms. Ideas are generated by comments from the public like buggy friendly nature walks for mums and toddlers, and mountain biking training for teenagers. Over the years traditional guided walks have decreased in numbers, as bookings dwindled to be replaced with more active sessions and themed events. The team are now keen to develop more activities and events aimed at older children and adults that make use of the specialist knowledge we have in house both in the Countryside team and the various volunteer groups.

The main event in the Country Park’s calendar is the heritage fayre in September. Over the past 2 years upwards of 6000 people have attended to see the heritage re-enactors and visit the countryside stalls. Funding of £6000 per annum is required to run the event and it is hoped that resources will be available to deliver the event into the future.

The Ranger Team at Ham Hill are successful at engaging and working with the local community. They were praised for the excellent community links in the recent Green Flag Judge’s report for the site. There are a number of initiatives run at the Country Park that provide opportunities for engagement, to people of all ages. The practical conservation volunteer team is the longest established group linked to site. Running since 1995 the conservation volunteers meet every Wednesday to carry out a practical task on site. Each week between 5-12 volunteers attend and over the years have carried out projects from scrub clearance, woodland management, coppicing, step creation and even building work when the centre’s construction. Volunteers are essential to the success of the Country Park. Operations like scrub clearance on the Iron Age ramparts all have to be carried out by hand as no machinery can operate on the slopes, so without the injection of volunteer labour the management plan targets relating to scrub clearance would not be attainable. The volunteers at Ham Hill come from a huge range of back grounds and surveys of volunteers indicate that they

42 volunteer for a range of different reasons. Some like to attend for the social side aspect, some to stay fit and active and others because they know they are returning something to the community.

In addition to adult members the Ranger Team accepts a limited number of work experience placements and Pupil Referral Unit placements. Such youth placements can be very valuable to both parties but need careful management and liaison with the student provider.

The future of the volunteer team is healthy as demand to join the group remains high. However the Ranger Team now recognise the need to offer potential alternative volunteer opportunities that allow people to get involved in the operation and management of the Country Park that are not necessarily practically based. The Steering and Friends groups serve as alternatives but expanded opportunities to contribute to the administration and community engagement work of the service will greatly benefit both volunteers and the Ranger Team. Particular projects that promote community ownership would allow people to become more connected with their Country Park and contribute to its future success. There is also significant potential to provide opportunities for people to contribute to wildlife monitoring efforts which are being expanded as part of the management for the next five years. Providing local students with the chance to gain survey and wildlife monitoring experience is an ideal way to engage with people in the community and specific project to enable this on a more formal basis will be hopefully be developed.

The Ranger Team now wish to further links with the local community in order to help coordinate support that local people have for the Country Park. This will help to demonstrate the importance of the sit as a strategic, free and open access site providing many services around recreation and enjoyment. It will also help to raise the profile of the site amongst the wider population and the significance of the archaeology and wildlife found there, to encourage more responsible use of the park and greater public support. This may well be incorporated into the development of a more formal project that seeks to enhance community engagement at the Country Park.

Started in 2005 the countryside apprenticeship scheme runs in partnership with Dorset Countryside and Kingston Maurward College at Dorchester. Each year the Country Park offers a year’s apprenticeship to a successful applicant. Aged between 16 – 21, and a non-graduate, the successful apprentice will receive training in all aspects of a Country Park ranger’s role and experience a full year of life on a busy public site. In addition to this they attend college for 1 day a week and complete an NVQ level 2 in Environmental Conservation. With an NPTC in brush cutter use and a full First Aid at Work certificate the successful apprentice should be well placed for entry to the countryside management profession. Past apprentices have gone on to assistant ranger positions and the Ranger Team ensure that apprentices are well trained in completing application forms and interview techniques. The scheme is a great success and the Country Park rangers are now A1 assessors seeing the apprentices through their qualification. The scheme has also seen valuable links forged with the Dorset Countryside team and good practice spread.

The Country Park falls into two parishes (Montacute and Stoke sub Hamdon), but is also close to Montacute and Norton sub Hamdon. All parishes take an active interest in the Country Park and they are consulted on planned developments. The Countryside Manager or Rangers attend Parish Council meetings to discuss current management works and future projects and see this as an important way to way to contribute to a more sustainable and community linked Country Park operation.

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Summary of important features Site Feature Importance Relevant Compartments National Regional Local Geology and geomorphology

Hamstone (Jurassic SSSI (high) RIGS (high) NS limestone)

Jurassic sandstone Holloway NS features (medium) Calcium carbonate (high) PW residues from limestone

Habitats Ancient semi-natural UKBAP priority Within South HW woodland habitat (medium) Somerset woodland LBAP Wet deciduous UKBAP priority Within South PW woodland (NVC W7) habitat (high) Somerset woodland LBAP Tufa stream (related PW to several BAP habitat types) Lowland meadows UKBAP priority South PF, WV habitat (high) Somerset LBAP (high)

Lowland calcareous UKBAP priority South NS grassland habitat (high) Somerset LBAP (high)

Lowland dry acid UKBAP priority WV grassland habitat (high) Species Vascular plants Wooly thistle (Cirsium Somerset NS eriophorum) notable - uncommon Pyramidal orchid Somerset NS, PF, WV (Anacamptis notable - pyramidalis) uncommon Fragrant agrimony Somerset NS (Agromonia procera) notable - rare

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Spurge-laurel Somerset NS (Daphne laureola) notable - uncommon, ASNW indicator

Crested hair grass Somerset NS (Koeleria macrantha) notable - uncommon Common gromwell Somerset NS, PF (Lithospermum notable - rare officinale) Black mustard Somerset NS (Brassica nigra) priority LBAP species

Treacle Mustard Somerset PF (Erysimum priority LBAP cheiranthoides) species

Common cudweed IUCN Threatened or Somerset NS (Filago vulgaris) Near Threatened priority LBAP species

Green hellebore Somerset WV (Helleborus viridus) notable - rare

Pale St John's-Wort IUCN Threatened or NS (Hypericum Near Threatened montanum) Common broomrape Somerset PF (Orobanche minor) priority LBAP species

Lichens A lichen (Biatorella Red Data Book sp., NS fossarum) IUCN Threatened or Near Threatened, UKBAP priority sp.

Invertebrates The cinnabar (Tyria UKBAP priority sp. Somerset NS jacobaeae) priority sp. Shaded Broad-bar UKBAP priority sp. Somerset NS (Scotopteryx priority sp. chenopodiata) Brown hairstreak UKBAP priority sp. Somerset NS (Thecla betulae) priority sp. Small heath UKBAP priority sp. Somerset NS, PF (Coenonympha priority sp. pamphilus)

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Dingy skipper UKBAP priority sp. Somerset NS (Erynnis tages) priority sp. Birds Skylark (Alauda IUCN Threatened or NS, PF WV, PW arvensis) Near Threatened, UKBAP priority sp.

Linnet (Carduelis IUCN Threatened or NS, PF WV, PW cannabina) Near Threatened, UKBAP priority sp.

Barn owl (Tyto alba) IUCN Threatened or Somerset Near Threatened, priority sp. UKBAP priority sp.

Slow-worm (Anguis UKBAP priority sp. NS fragilis) Hazel dormouse EU Protected sp., NS (Muscardinus UKBAP priority sp. avellanarius) Bats EU Protected spp., Somerset UKBAP priority spp. LBAP

Badger Protection of Badgers Act 1992 Invasive or introduced species which threaten conservation interest Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)

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Management Recommendations This section will give an overview of the key land management prescriptions for each Country Park compartment for the next five years. Both the objectives and prescriptions sections give greater detail on the planned management

Management focus for next five years:

The Ranger Team currently deliver an effective, thorough and structured management and maintenance programme that will be continued and built on over the next five years. The habitat maintenance and restoration works set out as part of the HLS agreement will heavily feed into this programme and guide the majority of land management work undertaken by the Rangers and Volunteer Team. It is intended these enhancement works will contribute to the greater functioning and resilience of the habitats, increase the ability to support a significant biodiversity and contribute to national, regional and local conservation priorities and targets. The development and implementation of structured monitoring schemes targeted at the woodland and grassland habitats will enable the success of management to be assessed.

The long term protection of the archaeological assets of the Country Park will benefit also from these works and the adoption of an integrated approach to management that incorporates recreational pressures and opportunities will further ensure that impacts associated with the open access status of the site are minimised and mitigated.

A number of capital projects are proposed that will enhance both the ecological and archaeological resources onsite but their implementation will be highly dependent on the securement of external funding.

The provision of new and diverse opportunities to volunteer at the Country Park will be key to increasing the capacity with which to engage the local community, visitors and other site users. It is hoped that this will increase the awareness of the site and raise the profile of the significant and important ecological and archaeological assets that the Country Park provides. In combination with a focussed marketing strategy and delivery of new interpretation this greater recognition of the site’s assets and their vulnerability will encourage responsible access and recreational use that will support the on-going land management works.

Compartment 1, Northern Spur

To ensure a continuation of sheep grazing across the compartment, where appropriate use mechanical grass cutting to remove woody plants and bramble growth annually. Continue to clear the Iron Age ramparts of scrub and trees, particularly focusing on the western side of the site and returning to prevent regrowth on the eastern slopes. Use herbicides to prevent re -growth on coppiced stools. Clear fell the inner rampart slopes and selectively manage the lower ramparts slopes, leaving canopy managed oak and ash specimens. If sheep grazing ineffective, consider change of livestock type and investigate feasibility. Carry out tree canopy arboricultural works on large specimen trees on the Iron Age ramparts to prevent wind fall. Thin woodland units and manage open areas in order to reveal ramparts and create sightlines out of the park particularly in the North East. On the interior of the spur maintain scrub pockets at existing size to keep a matrix of habitats types on site, providing cover for mammals and bird species and connectivity between the

47 woodland units on opposing sides of the site. Maintain all bins and furniture in the area and annually clean out bird and bat boxes in woodland pockets. Liase with quarry operator over reinstatement of completed open cast quarries. Monitor the RIGS and inspect the stone circle for movement. Continue to deliver interpretive events around the area explaining the past land use and explaining the archaeological earthworks. Utilise the outdoor classroom for a new range of events and educational sessions. Monitor where erosion occurs on banks from foot fall and check warning signs in place at quarry edges where steep drop offs.

Compartment 2, The Plateau Fields

Manage the large fields as traditional hay meadow. Allow growth throughout the year, take a hay crop in August and then follow with aftermath grazing by sheep. Mow paths through the meadows during high summer to allow for walking and erect notices asking public to stay on these paths to prevent disturbance to nesting birds. Seek to introduce varied cutting and grazing regimes to benefit specialist invertebrates. Manage the Butcher’s Hill as rough meadow with tussocky grass as preferred habitat of skylarks. Consider more pro-active management in The Warren to increase quality and diversity of sward such as through ground preparation and seed introduction. Initially seek to implement more targeted and intense aftermath grazing and monitoring for response. Prevent scrubby encroachment in the fields of bramble and bracken by mechanically mowing the areas and pull ragwort by hand. Repair the dry stone walls on site and offer training opportunities for students and the public. Maintain all bins and furniture in the area and organise wildlife watching events using the land.

Compartment 3, Witcombe Valley

Manage the land as pasture with grazing between April – November each year. Coppice the stands of gorse on a rotational basis to allow for mixed aged stands and prevent encroachment of bracken by trialling manual techniques in combination with treatment. Top nettles and thistles mechanically and pull ragwort by hand. Manage the willows that border the stream at the bottom of the valley and investigate dredging of silted up pond. Protect the clump of green hellebore at the bottom of the valley as a living relict of the medieval village. Maintain the wildlife corridor planted in the valley bottom and seek funding to re-instate stream and restore pond. Maintain all bins and furniture in the valley and promote its use for walking.

Compartment 4, Horses Wood

Continue coppicing rotationally the hazel stools in the wood and keep pathways free of wood and timber. Inspect all trees close to the path for safety and carry out necessary management works. Maintain bird and bat boxes in the woods. Maintain the peripheral fence line to ensure ground flora protected from grazing animals. Manage as a low intervention area.

Compartment 5, Pit Wood

Undertake a significant coppicing programme on the hazel stools to prevent over-stood woodland developing. Continue to manage the new planting areas and mechanically control bracken and bramble encroachment. Undertake sycamore clearance and replanting with mixed native broadleaf as part of HLS funded restoration efforts. Target grazing of the central grassland core should seek to improve the sward diversity and abundance of target species. Control all undesirable species with

48 both mechanical, chemical and manual means as necessary. Clear out bird and bat boxes annually. Inspect all trees close to the path for safety and carry out necessary management works.

Compartment 6, Hedgecock Hill Woods

Continue works to remove trees and scrub on the Iron Age ramparts by coppicing programme. Aim to replicate conditions on middle rampart on top and bottom ramparts. Mechanically cut by strimmer or mountain tractor bracken and nettle re-growth annually until coppice woodland ground flora develops. Continue to remove non-native species such as laurel. Maintain heavily used paths though site and monitor safety of tree stock in adjoining privately owned woods.

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Aims and Objectives

The following section outlines the four key aims that will guide the management and development of Ham Hill Country Park over the next five years. The objectives focus this management and help provide detail on what will be undertaken.

Aim 1: To protect, conserve and enhance the archaeological, ecological, geological and cultural assets of Ham Hill Country Park?

Aim 2: Provide opportunities for responsible recreation and access to Ham Hill Country Park, promoting the site through interpretative and educational material.

Aim 3: Offer diverse opportunities for people to get involved with the Country Park

Aim 4: Deliver financial and environmental sustainability whilst meeting all legal and other obligations.

Aim 1: To protect, conserve and enhance the archaeological, ecological, geological and cultural assets of Ham Hill Country Park?

1. Gain designation as a Local Nature Reserve Recognition of the importance of the habitats contained within the Country Park could be forthcoming by inviting Somerset Wildlife Trust and Somerset Environmental Records Centre (SERC) to consider their recommendations for designation as Local Nature Reserves (LNR). This would confer a greater degree of protection on the habitats. The Northern Spur is currently designated as a Local Wildlife Site and it may be that this level of local panning protection also be extended to the rest of the Country Park site to reflect the importance of the habitats present. The matrix of habitats across the entire Country Park site give high levels of floral and faunal diversity; by considering the Country Park as one unit it is hoped that an application for LNR status would be successful. Such a designation may also increase eligibility to alternative funding streams.

2. Re-notify the Country Parks boundary Throughout this plan the Country Park designation is referred to as covering the entire area of the site e.g. encompassing Witcombe Valley and Pit Wood. However, on paper, the true Country Park site is only that area designated in 1975, the Northern Spur. It is suggested that for ease of description the boundaries be extended. It would also ensure the bylaws for site were relevant in all areas and would also help Enforcement Officers when they apply dog fouling laws.

3. Protect the sites of geological interest “The Ham Hill Paradox”: at grid reference ST 482162, 11.1 hectares of Hamstone are designated SSSI because of their important fossil assemblages and the unique nature of the stone. This protected site falls within the boundary of the large and active Doulting and Ham Hill Stone Quarry. Two active quarries extract Hamstone from the site, the boundaries of the quarries are pre-determined and archaeological watching briefs are regularly carried out. However annually tonnes of stone are lost

50 from the site. Other cliff faces and hollow-ways around the site are RIGS (Regionally Important Geological Sites). There is very little active management that the Ranger Team can use to preserve the rock. They can however monitor the effects of climbers on the rock faces. The hamstone and its historical significance could be used to educate and increase knowledge and awareness of the site ’s importance. The Ranger Team will also continue to pay an active interest in the workings of the quarries. Under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act, Section 28G (as revised in CROW 2000) we have a statutory obligation to further the conservation and enhancement of the SSSI. Primarily by keeping the rock faces exposed and clear of vegetation. A report by a professional geologist would ensure all obligations were being met and give recommendations for future works and protection of the faces.

4. Control of invasive species Invasive species such as non-native laurel and japanese knotweed threaten the native flora and the range of species they support. Invasives can quickly outcompete less productive native species contributing to reduced biodiversity and more degraded natural systems. Intensive control work is usually required along with rigorous monitoring of their presence on site. The Rangers have to date been successful in controlling such species but remain vigilant to their threat. Undesirable weed species such as nettles, thistles and ragwort require control particularly in the grassland areas of site as they threaten both the current sward diversity and the success of restoration efforts of BAP grassland habitats.

5. Conserve rare or endangered species and habitats The summary of important features table illustrates the range of species found within the Country Park that are protected or hold conservation significance. Many of these may require specific conservation management, targeted to the requirements of individual species and habitats. Areas of high badger density should have low intervention around setts and badger gates need including in any new fencing. Tree felling needs to consider bird-nesting seasons, and both bats and birds can be encouraged by the erection of nesting and roosting boxes. Willow and alder trees in the wet woodland need conserving for their rich associated invertebrate fauna. The movement and density of livestock grazing in all habitats needs to be closely monitored to conserve and improve the floral diversity of grassland swards. Grazing in the woodlands is detrimental to the ground flora, and excessive grazing pressure could cause irreversible damage to the grasslands. It is only possible to successfully manage a site when you fully understand it, consequently further floral and faunal surveys are required, and designation as an LNR may improve the chance of protection of various species. Within the site exists a number of species that are not protected by law, although as important species within the ecosystem, targeted conservation efforts are justified. An example of this is the management of the Plateau Fields for ground nesting skylark with a continuation of the associated awareness scheme. Often such management provides benefits to many other species and contributes to the overall quality and resilience of the habitat. The calcareous grassland, once a botanical SSSI, is of significant national importance and it has improved over the last ten years with more regular grazing. Also significant is the tufa stream and wet woodland in Witcombe Valley. The highly sensitive nature of this area means that public access is prohibited.

6. Implement faunal monitoring schemes

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To ensure that land management of the Country Park remains effective in the future it is vital that the effects of current management regimes are monitored. The Ranger Team can then implement adaptive management as required and respond/react to changes in populations of particular important species and those which are key indicator of habitat condition. A butterfly transect along with a collation of historical records will help to understand the population changes in response to habitat management and should be undertaken weekly throughout the summer months. Weekly monitoring of reptile populations using hibernaculums in season in the scrubby rough grassland of the Northern Spur will help to identify how and where management efforts would be most effective in benefitting retile populations. There are significant opportunities to involve the public in bumblebee transects which should incorporate all of the habitat features required by the bees. Training provided to Rangers to undertake annual dormice presence / absence survey in the woodlands will help to monitor the success of the European Protected Species in the Country Park and inform management to actively encourage species migration and occupation into the woods. The results of surveys will be annually sent to the Yeovil and District Area Group of the Somerset Wildlife Trust who coordinate the full species list for Ham Hill. Annual updates are published and will be the subject of a meeting to discuss any major changes and alterations needed to management.

7. Repair and maintain safe and attractive boundaries A significant amount of boundary work is required on and around the Country Park including repairs to the dry stone walls. This will also promote the use of traditional countryside skills as well as satisfy specific objectives within the Archaeological Management Plan (AMP). To maintain stock proof hedgerows, with healthy tree and shrub specimens, hedge creation and laying are required in particular locations. To ensure visitor safety, fences and signs are required around / near steep quarry cliffs and fences are required around woodland units to exclude grazing livestock. The vast majority of boundary infrastructure is in place and in good condition and it is now a matter of annually checking boundaries for where repair and upgrade is required. A new fenceline however, along the Witcombe track will help to prevent severe poaching along the track and protect the planted oak trees and is a recommendation as part of the HLS agreement.

8. Conserve and protect Iron Age ramparts and other earthworks (e.g. strip lynchets and Victorian spoil heaps) As part of both the HLS agreement and the AMP, recommendations are made for the protection of heritage features contained within the site. As already discussed, Ham Hill is a highly significant historical site with archaeological features dating back to the Stone Age. The most prominent features include the Iron Age ramparts surrounding the hill fort site and therefore habitat management must balance the requirements for wildlife protection and biodiversity enhancement with protection of these important historical records. Prescriptions detailed within this management plan seek to achieve this balance and it is testament to the skill of the Ranger Team that such works have been successfully undertaken to date. It is now important however that these works are extended to the remaining ramparts to ensure their long term protection. Other features such as the Victorian Spoil heaps on the Northern Spur are sensitive to recreational and visitor pressure and therefore a monitoring programme will be established for these and the ramparts to identify where immediate protection work may be required. The recently commissioned AMP will help to inform where the risk to features may be particularly high and where recreational management priorities should be initially focussed.

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9. Conserve and protect other archaeological features The lime kiln in the Northern Spur has been identified as one of the best surviving examples in the district and one of the only other visual links of the site to its industrial part other than the quarries. It is currently in a degraded state and its long term future is uncertain. The AMP recognising this, recommend fencing off the lime kiln so that further degradation by the public is prevented as well as protecting visitors from potential instability of the feature. Further surveys will inform how the feature would be best conserved but the extent of such works is likely to be constrained by funding resources.

10. Ensure programme of bird and bat box maintenance There are a significant number of bird boxes erected in the various woodland across site, each year these need cleaning out prior to the nesting season so that they can be used. If a box is not used for a consecutive number of years it will be moved by the team to a new position, hopefully more suitable for the nesting bird population. Bat boxes are also located on site and need cleaning out prior to their hibernation in the autumn / winter. This is also true of the bat roost located in the gable end of the Ham Hill Centre. A recently erected barn owl box will be monitored from a distance for signs of occupation with findings passed on to relevant organisations.

11. Maintain quiet areas and refuges for wildlife Ham Hill Country Park is 400 acres in size and provides prime recreational land, over the years the site has become increasingly popular at times to the detriment of the wildlife. There are areas on site, particularly within the Northern Spur where access is difficult e.g. old abandoned quarries. Scrub has developed in these areas, which in the most part prevents public access and will therefore be left to an extent. Another important area for wildlife that is free from public disturbance is the wet woodland around the tufa stream. These bolt holes should ensure that birds can nest quietly and that the roe deer have places to hide and lay up. Natural zoning due o the topography and therefore accessibility of the site means that areas such as Witcombe, Horses and Pit Wood receive less visitors. The Rangers will work to ensure that people are able to access and enjoy the habitats, wildlife and character of these compartments without causing excessive disturbance to the species that rely on them.

12. Establish and maintain grassland monitoring programme The restoration and maintenance of the grassland resource on site forms an integral part of the ten year HLS agreement. Several indicators of success or targets are outlined against which the progress of the management works will be evaluated. In order to do this however, a monitoring programme and methodology based on quadrats needs to be established so that changes in grassland sward characteristics as a result of management can be identified. A full methodology is provided in Appendix 3. A baseline is required early to determine the current condition of the grassland swards and comparison with future results will provide evidence for the hopeful success of the management and potentially for the securement of future funding to extend restoration works along the ramparts. The Ranger Team are keen to provide opportunities for volunteers and students to contribute to the gathering of data as part of the monitoring programme and it may be that specific projects are developed as a result. It is recommended that Stow’s report of 2000 is used as a

53 comparison tool to identify the impact of the management over the past twelve years on the Stroud Fields. Elements of this study methodology could inform that of future monitoring schemes.

13. Restore areas of lowland calcareous grassland on ramparts Calcareous grassland has been identified as a target habitat priority as part of Natural England’s (NE) landscape character assessment for the area including Ham Hill. The grassland on the ramparts is currently in semi-improved condition but has been assessed as having potential to be restored to this BAP grassland type. Cancerous grassland has occurred here in the past and therefore hopefully a seedbank is still present and will germinate as a result of management. This primarily involves the removal of scrub and re-introduction of grazing, the success of which is evident in the grassland below the War Memorial. This diverse grassland consists of many low productivity and specialist wildflowers and fine grasses that support a great range of invertebrates. A grassland cover will also help to protect the rampart earthworks from further degradation by scrub and trees. The extent of weed dominated areas needs to be reduced so that grazing can be encouraged and restoration of grassland occurs. These areas are currently at risk of reverting back to scrub if they cannot be checked by grazing. Once these undesirables are reduced, chain harrowing can help to further break up coarser vegetation, and potentially promote the establishment of calcareous grassland species that may be present within the seedbank.

14. Maintain calcareous grassland on N. Spur For the Northern Spur the objective is to create a mosaic of scrub and grazed calcareous grassland of different stages of development, with a scrub component of 5% cover. This high diversity patchwork of habitats is the best way to maximise biodiversity and conserve all species and other sensitive features. Over the past 5 years the regular grazing pressure has significantly improved the sward of the grassland, making it less tussocky and encouraging growth of wild thyme and birds foot trefoil. Sheep grazing needs to continue in this area especially on the cleared inner Iron Age ramparts to ensure the regeneration of high diversity grassland on these slopes. A fenced off area would help to prevent further nutrient enrichment from dog faeces, limit disturbance from footfall and facilitate a targeted grazing regime all of which would help to encourage the development of a high quality calcareous grassland sward resembling that when the grassland was notified as a biological SSSI.

15. Where grazing currently not possible, regularly strim or flail Regular cutting of grassland will prevent rank grassland developing and the eventual encroachment of scrub at the detriment of more open grassland habitat. Particular focus should be around the car parks on the Northern Spur to maintain sightlines and discourage litter accumulation.

16. Maintain areas of species-rich lowland meadow within Plateau Fields (Stroud's Meadow East and West) The HLS agreement based on a prior habitat condition assessment, sets out maintenance prescriptions for this important BAP grassland habitat type. Since the re-introduction of a late hay cut and aftermath grazing the diversity of the sward has improved greatly with many indicator species present in abundance throughout. An even more targeted grazing regime may help to improve the diversity further and the completion of dry stone wall repairs will allow greater control and movement of livestock. It is also recommended that variations to the cutting regime be introduced to benefit later foraging bumblebees, where populations of several species are currently

54 threatened by reduced habitat availability. Potential to increase wildflower diversity via seed introduction as part of inner margin should be investigated as it may be that some species are not present in the seedbank. An increase in the abundance of hogweed to the detriment of the sward diversity is an use that requires controlling through appropriate weed management in consultation with NE.

17. Maintain areas of rough meadow within Plateau Fields (Butcher’s Hill, The Warren). Here the later topping means that a rougher sward is produced which benefits skylarks and other groundnesting birds. More targeted grazing afforded by the dry stone wall restoration may allow it to improve in sward diversity through management alone- stronger aftermath grazing pressure and a spring restoration graze (to further help remove nutrients). However, greater intervention may be required to improve diversity although this would need to be balanced with the maintenance of areas of longer grass for skylarks (e.g. skylark plots). Increased grazing pressure will also help to control young sapling growth.

18. Manage the dry acid pasture and rough grassland of Witcombe The rough grassland pasture of Witcombe Valley has been identified as culm grassland in the valley floor with dry acid pasture on the valley sides. As part of the HLS agreement there is a requirement to maintain this sward structure through appropriate grazing and control of undesirable species. The extent of bracken on particular slopes needs to be controlled via a combination of whipping and follow up treatment. Mechanical control is not appropriate due to the presence of meadow ant hills. Monitoring of grassland sward condition is part of the programme recommended in Appendix 3 Gorse thickets on the valley slopes will be reduced in extent in order to protect the underlying strip lynchets.

19. Restore Pit Wood lowland pasture The Farm Environment Plan (FEP) as part of the HLS agreement identified the rough grassland within the core of Pit Wood of being in poor condition as an example of the BAP habitat type, lowland pasture. As a result, restoration management is prescribed in the form of more targeted grazing in order to increase the sward diversity and abundance of key indicator species. The control of bracken and other undesirable species are seen as integral to achieving restoration goals, the evaluation of which will be assessed via the proposed monitoring programme.

20. Establish and maintain woodland monitoring programme Monitoring is to be based on four broad attributes: structure and natural processes, regeneration potential, composition (trees and shrubs) and ground flora diversity. The survey methodology as described in Appendix 2 is designed to enable a rapid assessment of woodland habitat condition. The ideas is not for it to classify woodland units in terms of defined conditions categories such as favourable/non-favourable but instead help the rangers to identify where management may be needed to address deficiencies in particular attributes. It will also serve to identify where certain attributes may be deteriorating based on annual comparisons of survey results. The monitoring programme will enable the Ranger Team to ensure HLS requirement for the woodland units on site are being met and that extent and condition are not decreasing. It is necessary that a baseline regarding the condition of woodland units is first established. It will also help to assess the influence of management and natural woodland dynamics on the overall woodland condition and character

55 and identify whether adapted management intervention is required. The survey will also allow progress of woodland restoration efforts such as that in Pit Wood to be monitored.

21. Manage Hedgecock Wood to prevent damage to ramparts The ramparts have been identified as in poor condition and at risk of severe deterioration in AMP. It is intended to replicate the conditions of the middle rampart to the top and bottom ramparts. Traditional woodland management through coppicing and thinning will satisfy the HLS agreement by retaining some woodland cover, habitat and connectivity and the AMP through proactive rampart protection. The use of horse in the future to remove large timber will significantly contribute to the long term protection the ramparts by reducing the threat from root damage. The retaining of some cover will help to discourage rapid scrub growth that could undermine the earthworks but instead lead to the development of a more diverse ground flora which requires dappled light conditions conducive to higher levels of biodiversity. Management work over the past five years on the middle rampart has been successful in achieving such conditions. The maintenance of open areas in glades and along rides provide important alternative niches for species associated with such semi -natural habitats as well as helping to increase the quantity of edge habitat and structural variation throughout the compartment.

22. Manage woodlands on Northern Spur (Eastern ramparts) The ramparts have been identified as in poor condition and at risk of severe deterioration in AMP. It may be more efficient in the short to medium term to focus canopy cover reduction in a serie s of strips. This will help to protect the ramparts, open them up to view, create sightlines and improve herbaceous ground flora. The creation of glades will increase ecotone habitat and greater structural heterogeneity within the woodland unit. Scrub management and the creation of more open areas will help to discourage burrowing animals that threaten the condition of the ramparts. A more open woodland with less tree cover, managed traditionally via coppicing and pollarding seeks to satisfy both the requirements of HLS and the AMP as outlined in the objective above. Furthermore, the reduction on canopy cover and creation of open areas will help to prepare suitable conditions for wood pasture, a BAP priority habitat. The development of neutral/calcareous grassland glades, recognised as an associated semi-natural habitat within the South Somerset Local BAP, would therefore be in keeping within the desired landscape context.

23. Scrub control on southern half of Northern Spur It is important to retain some scrub as valuable nesting habitat for birds and with many species also helping to support a diverse range of invertebrates. Here the scrub is less of a risk to the archaeological and heritage features on site compared to the ramparts and therefore a more strategic approach to its management can be taken. The aim should be for a mosaic of scrub to coexist with the grasslands of various sward heights and therefore stages of development. The scrub also performs a vital role in maintaining habitat connectivity between the woodland units in the east and west of the site throughout the network of car parks.

24. Manage woodland strip south of Harvey’s Quarry to protect top rampart The thin strip of woodland along the top rampart adjacent to the south of Harvey’s Quarry land should be managed via thinning and coppicing to reduce the canopy cover. This section of the ramparts has even identified in the AMP as being in poor condition at risk of rapid deterioration. As

56 a result, management work should be targeted here to afford sight of the ramparts, improve the ground flora, create sightlines out of the park and prevent dense scrub developing that encourages burrowing. This will ultimately protect the integrity of the ramparts. Maintenance of hazel coppice in this area will also benefit dormice that have been found in these areas.

25. Continue restoration of Pit Wood The aim is restore Pit Wood back to native semi-natural woodland from its current mixed woodland status which provides less habitat and biodiversity value than the former. The aim is for a woodland with appropriate species, age and structural diversity and progress towards this will be monitored via the methodology outline in Appendix 2. The works form a key part of the HLS agreement. Ancient woodland indicators are present within the ground flora and field layer and it is hoped that these will continue to increase in abundance and diversity as restoration continues. This will be a long term process as natural regeneration needs to occur to produce a canopy of >80 % non-planted before it can be classified as semi-natural. Natural regeneration will therefore be encouraged. Only dead, diseased and damaged trees will be removed as some non-native sycamore will be retained for its habitat value much as possible reflecting the biodiversity value of sycamore. The creation of dappled light conditions through careful woodland management should help to control the growth of bramble and other scrub species which can dominate the ground flora.

26. Manage deadwood in woodlands where required Deadwood is an important component of woodland ecosystems and a continual input of both standing and fallen wood is necessary to provide the specialist niche conditions associated with recently formed deadwood. The resource supports a range of specialist invertebrate and fungi species thereby contributing to ecological processes vital to the functioning of woodland systems. Habitat piles will be formed following woodland management works which will also provide important hibernacula and refugia for many species including reptiles.

27. Manage woodlands sustainably for timber provision and to benefit wildlife and landscape character This objective reflects particular requirements within the HLS agreement relating to the maintenance of the current woodland stock. Many of the woodlands are ASNW (ancient semi natural woodland) due to the presence of indicator species and therefore as these have the greatest biodiversity value, traditional management should aim to maintain these whilst allowing them to remain productive with good rates of natural regeneration. Management helps to maintain structural heterogeneity and the maintenance of a shrub layer which provides important habitat to many birds and invertebrates. The management of glades and rides contributes to the provision of other semi-natural habitats associated with woodlands, a target within the South Somerset woodland HAP. Some hazel coppice areas at risk of becoming overstood and therefore require urgent coppicing management to maintain them as functioning and healthy woodland systems.

28. Manage Horses wood and wet woodland as minimum intervention areas Managing these particular units at a lower intensity will hopefully contribute to a greater diversity in woodland character across the landscape. These areas are important refuges for wildlife and minimal disturbance will benefit many species onsite. Monitoring will identify if more intensive management is needed for example to deal with invasives or significant reductions in natural

57 regeneration rates. The aim is for these systems to be self-sustaining with minimal intervention and management input. The wet woodland is the most natural habitat and the public are therefore discouraged from entering for their safety and due to the area’s sensitivity.

29. Conserve veteran trees Veteran trees provide significant biodiversity benefits through the provision of specialist niches such as woodpecker holes, rot holes and split features. These are often used by roosting species such as bats. A strategic approach to their conservation will contribute to the Somerset woodland pasture, parks and veteran trees HAP which forms part of the Somerset local BAP. The identification and management of trees for veteranisation should be focussed around Sandy Lane where examples of trees exhibiting good potential exist. This strategic network of veteran trees across the Country Park would integrate with this BAP habitat which occurs locally in the nearby Montacute Estate thereby providing benefits over a larger scale.

30. Ensure management does not damage archaeological features It is important that works to enhance habitats and preserve archaeological earthworks don’t in turn cause damage to the historical features. Access to land especially of the Iron Age ramparts must only be undertaken when ground conditions are suitable and appropriate mitigation employed when felling trees and disposing of material. Significant works may require consent from English Heritage and NE due to the Scheduled Ancient Monument status of much of the site.

31. Identify and manage new planting areas There may be opportunities to increase the extent of woodland stock on site, not only to provide greater habitat availability but also to serve as a buffer to woodland units already exhibiting high ecological value and which may contain protected and sensitive species such as dormice. Furthermore, a greater woodland resource increases the availability of timber to sell, the profits of which contribute to the management of the wider Country Park. An extension to Pit Wood may help to eventually provide a dense woodland core further from the woodland edge, benefiting birds and invertebrates that utilise woodland interior habitat. Future tree planting schemes would also contribute to target for native woodland creation within the South Somerset Woodland HAP as part of the Local BAP.

32. Sympathetically manage woodlands for dormice Dormice, a European Protected Species have been identified on site and are subject to annual monitoring efforts. A series of dormice boxes have been erected to aid this as well as provide sheltering opportunities for this rare and vulnerable mammal. Dormice benefit from coppiced hazel stools to provide foraging material and nesting opportunities. A continuous canopy between these however is required to ensure connectivity to enable the mammals to carry out their arboreal life stages. This should be maintained through appropriate management of hazel coppice areas.

33. Seek to increase habitat connectivity across site Opportunities to improve habitat connectivity will help to mitigate issues relating to the small and often isolated habitats within the Country Park. This will help maintain viable populations of faunal species. Hedgerows are relatively sparse across the site and an increase in this habitat type would also contribute to Local BAP targets that focus on hedgerow habitat. A hedge adjacent to the road

58 running alongside the southern edge of the plateau fields would provide a valuable wildlife corridor connecting Hedgecock Wood in the north to the woods in the south west of the Country Park. It would provide a useful southern link for the two dry stone walls that divide the Plateau Fields, themselves valuable wildlife corridors. Relaying of the Hedge along Witcombe Track and its extension past the sheep corral would provide an important link for wildlife movements north to south, connecting the more isolated Pit Wood.

34. Integrate HLS specification into work practices where relevant and appropriate The HLS agreement outlines particular specifications and conditions that need to be met for work carried out in der the funded management options. Many of these already align with the work practices of the Ranger Team helping to ensure a more streamlined approach to site management. However, specific conditions exist for the protection of archaeological features and the use of control measures for invasive and undesirable species. NE will be consulted regarding any queries around these conditions.

35. Investigate potential future HLS funding opportunities Regularly consult NE regarding the possible eligibility for additional funding towards land management. Areas of particular focus should be the use of alternative grazing stock and associated capital works, weed control measures especially where these threaten the progress of calcareous grassland restoration on the Northern Spur and the quality of meadows within the Plateau Fields. Funding may become available following the Common Agricultural Policy reforms proposed for 2014. It is intended that the monitoring programme and fixed point photography will help provide evidence to support case for the ranger team receiving additional capital funding in the future.

36. Undertake restoration of the pond in Witcombe Valley The deserted Medieval Village within Witcombe Valley was associated with the pond that is currently fenced and part of the original stream network. The pond is suffering from gradual siltation and dredging activities are now required to restore water levels to improve ecological conditions. The lack of open water features within the Country Park raises the importance of the pond in terms of it habitat value and aesthetic interest. This is also reflected in the mention of the need for dredging in the Archaeological Management Plan (Wessex Archaeology, 2011). It is important that a suitably experienced archaeologist is present during the dredging should any items of significance be found. Capital funding for the project will need to be secured and relevant grant making bodies and funds should be approached. The potential inclusion in a future HLS capital works grant should also be investigated.

37. Undertake restoration of the Witcombe Valley stream The ancient stream which once ran down through the valley floor of Witcombe is now piped. A project to restore the original state of the stream would provide significant habitat benefit as well contribute to the visual quality of the valley by dividing the landscape. Aquatic and riparian plant species would help support a diversity of specialist invertebrates and higher fauna. The stream was once the primary water source for the settlements on Ham Hill and therefore, a restoration project would significantly enhance this historical heritage asset as well as the traditional landscape. This recognition is also highlighted by the project's inclusion within the Archaeological Management Plan (Wessex Archaeology, 2011). Funding will need to be secured with similar sources considered as

59 with the pond restoration. The ecological, historical and landscape importance of the stream means that the project may be eligible for a range of different grants. It is hoped that the project will offer significant opportunities for volunteer and community participation as well as providing a valuable learning resource for environmental education activities. It will also likely have significant value as stream restoration demonstration project.

38. Investigate potential to create pond at bottom of Pit Wood Water naturally accumulates at the bottom of Pit Wood where the fox pen is currently located. There is potential therefore to contribute to the extent of open water habitat within the Country Park through a pond creation project. Funding will need to be secured from relevant grant making bodies for this biodiversity enhancement project but it is likely that the current volunteer team would be used to undertake the majority of the work. Sympathetic introduction of native aquatic and marginal plant species will help provide the biotic and structural conditions necessary for the establishment and development of a pond of high ecological value.

39. Review site vehicle fleet and purchase options to maintain and if possible increase capacity The two all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are essential tools that enable the Ranger Team to achieve the significant work load they currently undertake. However, both vehicles will soon be needing replacement and therefore the most cost effective options need to be sought. Were it possible to increase the carrying capacity of vehicles, then larger numbers of volunteer could be accommodated which would enable an even greater quantity of work to be achieved during a season. Opportunities to do so should therefore be investigated.

40. Manage public enquiries regarding the social and environmental impact of quarrying activities on HHCP The two independently run, licenced quarrying operations within the Country Park provide hamstone, a highly desirable building material only found in this location. Quarrying activities have been undertaken on Ham Hill since the first Roman occupation and are therefore an integral part of the traditional landscape. However, due to the Country Park status and the archaeological and natural assets of the site, the presence of quarrying can be quite divisive. The Countryside Team recognise this and are therefore willing to respond to queries from the public regarding quarrying, it’s history on Ham Hill and the measures taken now and in the future to mitigate its impacts.

41. Manage the park as a core element of a wider ecological network The size of the park and the range of habitats it contains means that the site has the potential to serve as an important core area within an ecological network. With increasing emphasis being placed on the benefits of a landscape scale approach to conservation, the Country Park is in an ideal position with which to make connections to other semi-natural habitats and wildlife resources in the area to increase the overall landscape biodiversity value. The development of a green infrastructure strategy will be key in formalising and coordinating such efforts but the Countryside Team is keen to contribute to this where possible. Furthermore, such an approach will require significant levels of partnership working and this is something the team recognise and are willing to engage in into the future.

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42. Ensure co-ordination with regional level biodiversity strategies Due to the size of the Country Park and the significance of the biodiversity present within it, it is important that the park’s management co-ordinates with regional level biodiversity and conservation strategies. Working within a broader context will help contribute to more effective conservation. Current management within the park already seeks to achieve this and will continue to contribute to local BAP targets and activities where possible. Local species and habitat action plans relevant to HHCP include those for bats, woodland and grassland. The objectives within this management plan seek to recognise and contribute to those within the Somerset Biodive rsity Strategy and the new Somerset Local Nature Partnership which operates at a more strategic, decision-making level. The Countryside Service recognises their role as partners and will provide input as required.

43. Utilise off site contributions from development via the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) The team will seek to develop a justifiable multiplier that can be employed to generate off site contributions from developments within a buffer zone around the Country Park. Based on the revenue budget and annual maintenance programme of the park, a formula can be supplied to SSDC planners to help the Country Park secure annual income and in certain cases special capital projects may be funded. The team will seek to build an evidence base for the park as a strategic infrastructure element so that it will be eligible for revenue from CIL. A key part of this will be to ensure the park is well represented within any proposed Green infrastructure Strategy as well as demonstrate the National standards that the park meets in terms of greenspace provision and quality. It may be possible to acquire extensions to the Country Park through such funding but only where this will provide significant benefits for wildlife biodiversity and if necessary an associated commuted sum will be sought.

Aim 2: Provide opportunities for responsible recreation and access to Ham Hill Country Park, promoting the site through interpretative and educational material.

1. Maintain the network of paths to enable recreation and works access As an open access site, there is an extensive network of paths that serve the site, enabling visitors to explore and enjoy the range of habitats and landscapes present within the park. They are also vital to the operation of the Ranger Team and their maintenance is therefore necessary to ensure works that rely on the ATVs as well as the ability to respond quickly to issues across the site can be achieved. In the summer, the paths are repaired where necessary and mud that may have accumulated during winter scraped back. Paths are kept open via a strategic cutting regime and where ATV access is restricted works undertaken to widen paths. An appropriate level of signage is maintained. All paths are monitored through the year by the team to ensure visitors and users of the site are provided safe access.

2. Review on site interpretation and update/refurbish where necessary Located around the Country Park are interpretation panels designed to inform and inspire visitors to the site. To date, much of this interpretation material has focussed on the historical use fo the site and the archaeological significance. As is expected, some of these displays are now looking tired and require updating and in some places refurbishment. This provides an opportunity to provide visitors with Information from the recent digs that have occurred onsite and the implications of the findings.

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It is acknowledged of the need to incorporate more interpretation regarding the site’s ecology into panels and displays, especially in the recently commissioned AMP. It will help to raise awareness of just how important the site is for wildlife and increase the profile of the site in terms of the species of conservation interest that can be found as well as the management that is undertaken to conserve them. In doing so, more responsible use of the site may be encouraged. The Rangers are keen for interpretation to be provided in layers so that broader initial public facing material provides links to more detailed sources of information should visitors wish to learn more about particular aspects of the Country Park.

3. Pursue development of smartphone application for Country Park Past work regarding the development of a smartphone application that provides interpretation and site information should be revisited. Although it’s implementation is heavily reliant on external funding, there may be opportunities to incorporate this into future lottery bids. It is likely that the results of the recent archaeological digs will be heavily integrated into the app and in doing so may widen the project’s eligibility to funding sources. Consultation with the IT Team during development will be essential in order to maximises the app’s access and effectiveness.

4. Continue to promote site and centre as an educational facility. The centre and the wider Country Park are currently used by a number of schools and educational groups throughout the year. These are for a variety of purposes but primarily as a meeting space and the location for formal education sessions often led by the Rangers. The Ranger Team are keen to increase the number of schools and youth groups that use the site as an educational resource and are willing to assist teachers and group leaders with how most effectively to use the site for learning. It is likely that the development and expansion of the Friends group will be key in increasing the capacity with which to do so. Members will also be able to assist in the promotion of both the site as a learning resource and the centre as a space where sessions and activities can be focussed. The outdoor classroom will contribute to the range of opportunities that can be provided. Increased use of the centre by groups such Forest School and the Yeovil Federation of Schools will also help to forge greater links with schools and provide greater opportunities for community engagement. Targeted promotion of the site via literature and online channels will increase awareness of the facilities that are available.

5. Seek to increase bookings of Ham Hill Centre through marketing drive The Ranger Team are keen to increase the regularity of the use of the centre and the diversity of groups using it. Specific promotion of the site’s facilities will need to be undertaken and the Friends group are likely to significantly assist this effort. More regular press releases about activities that have occurred at the centre will be sough along with greater exposure online via the website and social media. Relevant organisations will be identified and contacted regarding their potential use of the centre. The team not only recognise this as an opportunity to increase community engagement but also to provide additional revenue to contribute towards the management and maintenance of the site.

6. Develop the opportunities at the Ham Hill Centre, including weekend opening. As the number of users of the site continues to increase, there is a need for an ever greater Ranger presence. This is ensure visitors are able to access the information they need to get the most out of

62 there visit as well as contribute to the safety of site users. There may be opportunities to increase weekend opening of the centre beyond the level currently provided during the summer. It is likely that the Friends group would be significantly involved in the coordination of this along with possible opportunities to operate the centre during the week whilst the Ranger Team is carrying out management works within the park. Other potential developments linked to the centre are an increase in the potential for corporate sponsorship of the building and the installation of renewable energy technologies.

7. Improve where possible, easy access provision and promote this Significant improvements have been made over the past five years that have increased the accessibility of the area of the site. This will always be difficult due to the terrain of the site but specific maintenance works to the all ability trial will help provide those with limited mobility the opportunity to explore and enjoy parts of the site. Renewed promotion of the off road tramper buggy will help to raise awareness amongst visitors that opportunities to increase access can be provided.

8. Seek to raise the profile of Ham Hill's archaeological significance Recent archaeological digs have contributed to a greater understanding of the history of the site and the settlements and past activities that have occurred here. These findings have raised the significance of the site and this now warrants greater public awareness and appreciation. Funding for future archaeological digs will be sought and opportunities developed to enable the public to access such activities and their findings. Promotion both online and in literature across the region will help to raise the profile of the Ham Hill’s important archaeology.

9. Continue to deliver appropriate recreational management The Ranger Team are continually faced with the challenge of balancing recreational management with the requirements of wildlife and the conservation of important ecological and archaeological features. However, the team are skilled in achieving this balance and are in a strong position to be able to react to changing demands that this may bring e.g the development of new activities and user groups on site as well as working within ever tightening resource constraints. A maintenance programme of site furniture is established and these will be repaired and replaced as nece ssary. The issue of car parking is becoming more important and threatens both the enjoyment and safety of visitors. A new car park is to be established to alleviate roadside parking near Butcher’s Hill. Liaison with the local PCSO will be key in helping to tackle car break-ins and other anti-social behaviour. The Ranger Team hope that by increasing awareness of other user groups, potential conflicts can be mitigated and avoided.

10. Encourage responsible recreation and public access of the Country Park and wider countryside The Ranger Team are conscious to avoid instilling a restrictive and controlling approach to recreational management through the use of signs and notices. However, appropriate displays will be used to inform visitors about the site, it’s features, management and activities that may be occurring onsite. Hopefully by demonstrating to the public the importance and vulnerability of certain aspects of the site, more responsible use of the Country Park and wider countryside will be encouraged. The restriction to designated areas of high impact activities such as mountain biking will have to be enforced.

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11. Undertake Ham Hill ‘census’ to highlight sensitivity of HHCP and impacts of management It is proposed that a five year ‘census’ is produced that collates public satisfaction, the results of wildlife surveys, quantities of litter/dog mess, visitor numbers, school visits, number of volunteers and the number of developments within proximity of the Country Park. This is likely to be a useful exercise in order to broadly quantify the pressures on the park and potentially identify new threats to the ecological and archaeological features. Future management can then be informed by the results to ensure the conservation of these assets balanced with a good level of service provision is maintained. The exercise also provides an opportunity to involve the local community and especially school groups in the gathering of data to raise awareness of the pressures on the park and role of the management carried out by the Ranger Team.

12. Address issues associated with dog access Ham Hill is a very popular venue for dog walking and the Ranger Team welcome responsible use of the site by dog owners. The team empty dog waste bins twice a week and maintain the network of bins across the site. However, there are a number of key pressures on the site mainly as a result of irresponsible use of the site by a minority of dog owners. Failure to pick up dog waste leads to soil enrichment that can degrade the sensitive plant communities on site which rely on low soil fertility. It is also a health hazard to park users as well as detracting from the aesthetic beauty of the site. Throughout the year, sheep are located in a variety of enclosed land compartments across the site. Where livestock are present, the Ranger Team ensure public notices are erected at key entry points, politely reminding the public to keep dogs on leads. However, every year there are instances of dog attacks on sheep and the team will therefore continue to raise awareness of this issue.

13. Seek to identify and coordinate all organised activities on site There are many groups and individuals that use HHCP for a variety of activities. This is welcomed by the Ranger Team who recognises the importance of the site to the local communities, groups and individuals for such activities. However, the team are keen to play a larger role in the coordination of the more organised activities that occur on site. This is likely to involve ensuring the safe and responsible use of the site by groups and the possession of a relevant and up to date risk assessment. The Ranger Team are also keen to have discussions with groups who may wish to use the park for regular organised activities and the possibility of this opportunity to serve as a small additional revenue source to help maintain the park and facilities for such groups.

14. Ensure the site is safe for the public Due to the high volume of site users, the Ranger Team play an important role in ensuring the safety of those using the site. All tress along the extensive network of paths are checked as part of an annual tree safety survey and arbiocultural work implemented where necessary. Risk assessment reviews are also regularly undertaken. The team are experienced in reacting quickly to issues and potential risks identified by members of the public and can manage access across the site to maintain the safety of all users.

15. Promote healthy living schemes in the Country Park and use of the wider countryside As a free, open access site, there are many opportunities for people to use HHCP for healthy activities. These may be informal or more organised such as the health walks organised by SSDC. The

64 permanent orienteering course is a great way for people to get out enjoying and exploring the site. The connectivity of the County Park to the wider countryside afforded by the network of public rights of way provide even more opportunities to walk or jog the area. The Countryside Team will continue to promote current activities and identify new schemes that could be facilitated by HHCP.

16. Develop a new series of themed trails with associated literature Themed trails have in the past proved popular amongst the public and provide an interesting and alternative way to explore the site. As recommended in the AMP, the establishment of a rampart walking trail, integrated with new on site interpretation may encourage visitors to areas they may not yet have discovered. The range of habitats within the Country Park lends itself to the development of wildlife themed trails with relevant literature and ID aids being made available from the Ranger’s Office. Loops that took in grassland or woodland habitats could also be integrated into school sessions that focus on the differences in the ecology found in these habitats.

17. Stabilise areas of erosion There are areas within the Country Park that exhibit erosion both natural and visitor induced. In order to reduce pressure on footpaths, those which are deemed at most risk will be rotationally closed to prevent them from becoming severely degraded and allowed to recover. The mown footpaths around the plateau fields are very popular with walkers. The Ranger Team will monitor these paths for signs of erosion and if necessary alter the routes each year to prevent more permanent damage being caused.

18. Continue to develop online presence of HHCP All of the Countryside sites are now featured online via the website. The Rangers are keen to further increase the profile of the site and the team via Twitter and other online channels in order to engage with a larger audience. Such channels can be used to promote events occurring at HHCP as well as provide updates on management and projects and facilitate further public access to the Ranger Team. A facility to book online for events will make it easier for the public to sign up and benefit the Rangers through streamlining event administration.

19. Deliver annual PR and marketing plan The Rangers are skilled in delivering interviews and editorial for press release and are now keen to make use of more local media such as community newsletters and newspapers. This will help engage with those members of the public who most use the site and are impacted on most by its management. The revision of the site leaflet will be key element of a coordinated marketing plan and close consultation will be undertaken with SSDCs Tourism and Communications Teams.

20. Run a diverse annual programme of events A full and diverse range of events are currently provided at HHCP although these tend to be focused at children during the school holidays. Positive feedback from events is encouraging and the Ranger Team continually use this to help design and improve those for the coming year. The Team are now keen to identify demand for events and activities aimed at different age groups such as specialist interest talks or wildlife surveying and ID workshops. There may be opportunities to develop events in collaboration with CHAC due to the historical significance of HHCP.

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21. Consider development of lottery funded project focussed around Friends Group In the absence of a dedicated community engagement officer, the Ranger Team have limited capacity within which to increase and develop opportunities for public engagement, interpretation and learning. This is due to the demands of managing such a large, complex and diverse site as HHCP. A project that would enable the Friends Group to develop the capacity to take on this role in coordination with the Ranger Team would help provide new opportunities for community involvement, help raise the profile of the important assets of the Country Park and benefit site users and visitors through increased learning and interpretation opportunities. It is intended that through capacity building, the long term future for the management of the Country Park and the provision of recreational opportunities is more secure and resilient. The Countryside Team are experienced in delivering large capital projects and are therefore in an ideal position to ensure the sustainability of project activities. The Friends Group provide a useful platform from which to deliver significant enhancement projects that may develop as a result of the initial project.

22. Apply for Green Flag award annually HHCP has been awarded Green flag status. This annual assessment carried out by a panel of judges with backgrounds in nature conservation and open space management comprises a desk and field based component. Within each, the entire park is judged against eight key criteria.

 A welcoming site  Healthy, safe and secure  Clean and well maintained  Sustainability  Conservation and heritage  Community involvement  Marketing  Management

The holistic management approach adopted by the Countryside Service is embedded in the aims that direct the work of the team. This ensures that all of the above criteria are met which has contributed to the park gaining accreditation. The Team act upon judges recommendations to improve both the visitor experience and the site’s wildlife and conservation value. This is reflected in the specific management objectives and prescriptions of the present plan in the hope of retaining this prestigious award.

Aim 3: Offer diverse opportunities for people to get involved with the Country Park

1. Continue to run a weekly practical conservation volunteer group The rangers will continue to run the weekly volunteer task day every Wednesday. In 2012 an average of ten volunteers attended every Wednesday donating over 500 days throughout year. This gives us the equivalent of 3 extra members of staff to deliver the labour intensive projects like scrub clearance and weed pulling. The Ranger Team sets relevant day long tasks for the team and accompanies them to deliver tool safety talks and run the power tools. Volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds and attend for many different reasons as identified by volunteer surveys. The rangers are experienced in offering a range of tasks throughout the season to maintain motivation

66 and interest. Typical tasks include; scrub clearance, gorse coppicing, woodland management and dry stone walling. In addition some days at other countryside sites will be organised to allow the volunteers to try skills like hedge laying, which have limited availability at Ham Hill. The Ranger Team are keen to develop alternative opportunities for volunteering that are less practical based in order to encourage public involvement in the park in new ways. This is likely to contribute to an increased capacity within which to expand community engagement opportunities without resulting in a decrease in the level of land management delivered. 2. Provide diverse training and development opportunities for volunteers Several volunteers have undertaken training and qualifications for particular equipment used during practical tasks. This is of great assistance to the Rangers by allowing a greater volume of work to be completed during a practical task day. Volunteers pick up new skills over the season but the Ranger Team are now keen to potentially deliver more formal training opportunities. These would include skills is wildlife surveying and identification to contribute to monitoring efforts across the site. An attempt will be made to identify and recruit volunteers with specialist skills to possibly acts as ‘super-volunteers’ in order to lead sub-groups and thereby increasing the capacity to accept new volunteers; this is currently limited due to staffing constraints.

3. Continue support of Friends of Ham Hill Country Park and assist in the development of the group The Friend’s group provide an important link between the Ranger Team and the community and help to ensure that the management of the Country Park is meeting the expectations of those who use it. However, it is now necessary to develop the group further and increase its ability to perform this role. A recruitment drive will be undertaken to generate support, input and representation from the wider community. The Ranger Team will work closely with the group to provide administrative support as well as in the development of projects, and applications to funding sources that the Countryside Service are ineligible for.

4. Offer an annual apprenticeship scheme Now in its ninth year, a twelve month apprenticeship scheme is offered at HHCP in partnership with Dorset Countryside and Kingston Maurward College. This provides an opportunity for young people to acquire the skills, knowledge and qualification that will assist them in a career in countryside management. It also benefits the Ranger Team from the presence of new, ambitious and enthusiastic people each year that contribute enormously to the success of the team. The Rangers provide training in job applications and interview technique to give apprentices the best possible chance of securing relevant employment at the end of the twelve months as many have gone on to do .

5. Offer feedback opportunities from site users and the community, acting on this A biennial visitor survey is undertaken in order to capture the views regarding the Country Park and its management and to identify particular issues or expectations that the public may have for such a site and the service as a whole. The exercise is useful in providing ideas for how to serve site visitors and the local community better and as an evaluation of past activities undertaken by the Rangers. It is positive that visitor satisfaction has increased over recent years and provides the Rangers with confidence that the work they are carrying out is having positive impacts. The Team are now keen to

67 further increase opportunities for visitor feedback; greater presence of and access to the Rangers with assistance from the Friends Group is likely to be key to achieving this.

6. Offer work experience placements The rangers support on average 6 work placements per annum. All local secondary schools at some time have sent work experience students to the sites. The team have a Placement Policy (Appendix 13), which is followed for all sites. As a general rule only one placement is accepted at any one time. There is also a work placement pack that all students are issued, giving them details of risk assessments and a work diary to complete for their time on site. All placements must attend a brief interview prior to their main placement; priority is given to those students expressing an interest in the countryside and wildlife. Students are given the opportunity to undertake a range of tasks that give them a useful insight in to the work of a ranger and the management of a large open access site.

7. Work with representatives of hard to reach groups to develop volunteering opportunities HHCP has the potential to provide volunteering opportunities for those within hard to reach and minority groups living within the local community. This may be as part of the weekly volunteer ranger group or within organised schemes and projects that focus on encouraging community management and integration. The Ranger Team are keen to identify groups that could benefit from volunteering at the Country Park as well as contributing to the achievement of the management work programme.

8. Continue to deliver community tree planting initiatives Tree management and planting at Ham Hill is a sensitive issue. For the most part trees are removed from the sensitive archaeological earthworks of the hill fort, however the Rangers do have the opportunity to plant new trees and annexes of woodland, off the Scheduled Ancient Monument, at Pit Wood and Horses Wood. Recent family planting events demonstrated the public support for tree planting and the desire to get involved. The Rangers are keen to offer similar opportunities over the next five years hopefully delivering one scheme per annum that will contribute to tree recruitment rates and the expansion of the woodland stock. Tress will be sourced from local genetic stock and only be native species associated with the site.

9. Maintain a presence on the South Somerset Countryside Steering Group The work undertaken within HHCP is regularly reviewed by the SSCSG and ideas discussed about the management and activities occurring on site. This helps to provide an opportunity for public input into the operation and management of the site. The Ranger Team value this forum and its ability to serve as a soundboard for ideas to help develop the park into the future for the benefit of both wildlife and the community. The Countryside Team will support the Steering Group in their effort to raise its profile and to recruit more members to represent the many groups within the community.

10. Involve the private sector in the management work and projects within the Country Park It is becoming increasingly recognised of the importance of involving local businesses in the management of natural greenspace and the necessity of this to contribute to wider conservation efforts. The value placed on this integration is reflected in the development of the Somerset Local Nature Partnership, of which SSDC is a partner. Inviting local businesses to sit on the Steering Group is likely to be one way to identify how local enterprises may be able contribute positive impacts on

68 the local environment and wider countryside. Corporate sponsorship of key projects within the park may be one such opportunity. The Country Park can also offer the chance for local businesses to benefit from the recreational and social opportunities the site provides though away days and volunteering activities.

Aim 4: Deliver financial and environmental sustainability whilst meeting all legal and other obligations.

1. Ensure bylaws up to date and relevant The Country Park has its own set of bylaws originally declared by Yeovil District Council when the park was established in 1975. As a result, many of these may now be less relevant with regard to the modern and busy use of the site and may require updating along with their associated penalties. All staff are made aware of bylaws to ensure that relevant enforcement authorities are alerted should offences be committed.

2. Maintain protection for designated site features The aforementioned prescriptions included in the HLS agreement and those set out in in the AMP seek to protect and protect and improve the condition of the archaeological features such as the Iron Age ramparts. This is balanced with wildlife conservation efforts that reflect the significance of the species and habitats found throughout the Country Park. In order to maintain protection of features designated as part of the Scheduled Ancient Monument, consent from both Natural England and English Heritage will first be sought prior to significant management works being undertaken. Monitoring of site usage and the impact of visitor pressure will be continuously monitored and preventative action taken as necessary. The rangers will also enforce the prohibition of metal detectors, working with the police if any incidences are reported and ensuring that clear signage around the park prevents misinterpretation of the rules.

3. Manage volunteers in accordance with SSDC Volunteer Policy The Ranger Team and wider Countryside Service are skilled in managing volunteer activities to ensure those attending are both safe and well informed in relation to all types of volunteering on site. This will be continued under the recently drafted SSDC Volunteer Policy which seeks to streamline the management, recruitment and coordination of volunteers across the entire District Council.

4. Carry out annual tree safety and health surveys To ensure the health and safety of tree stock within the Country Park the Rangers carry out an annual inspection. The site is divided into zones and each is walked annually and a survey form completed. Only tree stock that would fall onto an area of space with public access is surveyed. Trees located centrally in woodlands with no paths are not surveyed. Any tree displaying signs of weakness is rated from 1-5 severity and the rangers then either deliver the works themselves or employ contractors. The ever increasing risk posed by tree diseases such as ash dieback ( Chalara fraxinea) means the rangers remain vigilant to any indications of disease presence. Appropriate action in accordance with recommendations within guidance and from experts will be taken as necessary. The team continue to invite the public to report any issues with the park’s tree stock and will respond promptly to these.

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5. Monitor monthly performance via a balance scorecard To ensure targets are met, the Countryside Team monitor the level of community involvement and achievements against the critical activities of the corporate plan. At the end of each month figures are gathered from across the Ranger Team and collated centrally. We record numbers of events organised, youth activities, number of participants, number of trees planted and number of volunteer activities organised and days donated. These records now cover three years and are useful as input into funding bids, evidence for inspections and for reporting on progress towards the delivery of grant schemes.

6. Carry out annual risk assessment updates A full site risk assessment exists for Ham Hill Country Park. The assessment is revised and updated annually in January and action points delivered. Separate job risk assessments are carried out for contractor works and volunteer tasks. All staff will attend refresher sessions for equipment used and relevant training courses when offered.

7. Maximise financial sustainability With potential future budget constraints, operational efficiently must be sought wherever possible to contribute to the financial resilience of the organisation. Efforts to generate new income will be sought along with continual drives to maximise resource efficiency, something the Ranger Team are already skilled at. Potential to build greater operational capacity through a larger and more diverse volunteer base will be explored in order to contribute to a more economically resilient service able to deal with unexpected costs and resource demands. Management work and habitat enhancement projects that seek to improve the ecological state of habitats will hopefully contribute to greater ecosystem functioning and which exhibit more self-sustaining attributes. This will mean habitats will have greater resilience and require less intensive management intervention to maintain them in a desired state, thereby reducing demands on the Ranger Team and resources.

8. Continue to develop ways to generate alternative income It is necessary that the Ranger Team continue to develop alternative potential income sources to help ensure the current level of service is maintained despite the risk of future budget constraints. The park now has a strong customer base for timber purchases and this will contribute to be promoted. Potential to generate income from car parking especially at large events will be investigated as will the feasibility of installing donation boxes to help support the work of the Ranger Team. It is likely that the Friends group will be able to provide significant support in the development of alternative income streams.

9. Continue to acknowledge existing agreements and licences Several agreements and licences with particular organisations and neighbouring landowners require annual recognition although some do not require action.

10. Control all noxious weeds such as japanese knotweed and giant hogweed Under the noxious weeds act the Ranger Team will exercise both chemical and manual control as far possible over any noxious weeds in the park as detailed earlier in the plan. The service has an

70 obligation to prevent spread of these species and will also seek to work with neighbouring landowners to ensure control efforts are more effective.

11. Embed environmental sustainability into all aspects of work The Ranger Team already operates to reduce environmental impact through its use of materials and creation of efficient working practices. Fuel and resource use efficiency are maximised and materials re-used where possible. This will be continued with opportunities for further improvements sought. All timber procurement will be FSC certified in line with the SSDC Tree Policy.

Review

The specific objectives will contribute to the delivery of the aims and intend to be completed within the five years of the plan. Many of these are a continuation of those from the previous plan and relate to established maintenance works. An assessment of the achievement of the objectives will be made at the end of the five years and will inform the direction and content of the subsequent plan. Specific targets are set where applicable for development tasks and those objectives relating to the HLS agreement with an appropriate method of review to determine outcome success.

Progress will be monitored via annual reviews of the delivery of prescriptions. The degree of completion will inform priorities for the coming year to ensure the delivery of the management programme remains structured and focussed. Progress will also be monitored by the South Somerset Countryside Steering Group, with an annual update report delivered by the Countryside Manager each winter.

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TASK WHO WHEN? £ COST PARTNERS RELEVANT COMP- COMMENTS COMPARTM- LETED ENTS 1 2 3 4 5

Aim 1. To protect, conserve and enhance the archaeological, ecological, geological and cultural assets of Ham Hill Country Park? SWT, NE, CM    SSDC Legal Entire site Gain designation as a Local Nature Reserve. team Legal team, CM     Entire site Re-notify the Country Parks boundary. SWT Protect the sites of geological interest.     

Climbing R   N. Spur Group Monitor wear and tear by climbers of SSSI rock face. £50 R     N. Spur Keep RIGS and SSSI faces clear of vegetation. /annum Liaise with appropriate specialists on geological R + CM     Entire site conservation in the Country Park.

     Control of invasive species. Plateau, Pit, R   Volunteers Annually top nettles and thistles too 4cm. Witcombe Plateau, Pit, R   Volunteers Pull ragwort by hand Witcombe Monitor and control regrowth of Japanese knotweed £200 / R   N. Spur on Norton Holloway. annum £300 / Plateau, Pit, R   Spot treat ragwort in areas of high density. annum Witcombe Consult Natural England regarding the use of weed     wiping as a control measure R + CM NE Entire site Conserve rare or endangered species and     

72 habitats. Continue skylark awareness scheme – annual signs £50 / R + CM   Plateau on meadow gates to protect nesting birds. annum £50 / R + CM   Plateau Establish annual survey of skylark population annum Continue monitoring programme for dormice in Horses, N. R   Consultant woodlands. Spur Implement faunal monitoring schemes.      Gather historical butterfly transects and maintain R + CM   Entire site current records. Undertake weekly reptile monitoring in line with   survey calendar R N. Spur Train rangers so able to undertake dormice R + CM    £200 Consultant n/a surveying in line with survey calendar. Seek to increase records for mammals including R + CM    Entire site population levels Develop 2-3 km bumblebee transects that R + CM   BBCT Entire site incorporate variety of habitat types Inform relevant organisations with survey data R + CM      Various n/a Repair and maintain safe and attractive      boundaries.   Check integrity of all fence lines annually. R £1000 Entire site Repair damaged sections of dry stone walling in the Plateau, R    £2000 Volunteers Plateau Fields using traditional techniques Witcombe Erect fence line from sheep corral to Witcombe Lane R     £2500 Witcombe entrance    Cut back along dry stone wall at top of Witcombe R £300 Witcombe Maintain recently laid wildlife corridor via rotational £50 / R    Horses cutting every three years annum Horses, Pit, R   Ensure grazers excluded from woodland areas Hedgecock

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Conserve and protect Iron Age ramparts and      other earthworks (e.g. strip lynchets and Victorian spoil heaps)

Monitor footpath erosion where indicated severe in R   Entire site appendix Fig. 10 of AMP Address where footpath erosion severe or    accelerating R £ 500 Entire site Dependent Consider repair measures of deep scar near to War R     N. Spur on external Memorial and seek funding funding Dependent Seek consent and capital funding to improve state of R + CM     NE Hedgecock on external bridleway through Hedgecock Woods funding £200 / R    Volunteers Witcombe Remove gorse from strip lynchets in Witcombe Valley annum Conserve and protect other archaeological      features Fence off around Lime Kiln following survey of R     £500 N. Spur feature Ensure programme of bird and bat box      maintenance. Horses, Pit, R   Clean out all bird and bat boxes in autumn. N. Spur Re-site boxes in inappropriate places to new R    £100 Entire site locations. Dependent R + CM    n/a on external Secure funding for additional bat boxes funding Map locations of all boxes. R    £100 GIS team Entire site Maintain quiet areas and refuges for wildlife      Utilise existing natural zoning to manage recreational R   Entire site access and disturbance to wildlife     

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Establish and maintain grassland monitoring      programme Establish baseline sward characteristics for e.g. student Plateau, Pit, R    grassland units following methodology in Appendix 2 surveyor Witcombe Cross-reference data with HLS targets and condition R + CM    n/a assessment for BAP grassland type Survey to identify current extent and condition of dry acid, culm and calcareous grassland within R + CM    Witcombe Witcombe Valley Plateau, Pit, R    Monitor grassland using fixed point photography Witcombe Plateau, Pit, Establish volunteering opportunities for grassland R + CM    Volunteers monitoring Witcombe Restore areas of lowland calcareous grassland      on ramparts Mechanically remove trees and scrub and treat re- R   £500 Volunteers N. Spur growth annually in-situ (Oct-Feb) Summer graze (Jun-Jul) and winter graze (Nov-Apr) Tenant R   N. Spur at 1Lu/ha grazier Investigate potential to use hardier grazers e.g.     cattle, to hasten restoration and control nettle R + CM NE N. Spur Strim around patches where grassland currently R    £100 N. Spur established to encourage expansion Strim and remove arising’s where sward establishing R    £50 N. Spur in southern half of enclosure Cut nettle and bracken in early summer to encourage £100 / Volunteers, R   N. Spur grazing and beat or spray regrowth (Consult NE) annum NE Consider chain harrowing of accessible areas in Volunteers, autumn once nettle and bracken reduced (Consult R    N. Spur NE NE) Dependent Seek capital funding to extend calcareous grassland R + CM   NE N. Spur on external restoration via grazing, southwards along ramparts funding Targets:     

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Cover of wildflowers between 20 % and 90 % by year      5      Cover of bare ground ≤ 5 % by year 5      Cover of scrub reduced by 40 - 100 % Increase in mean sward species richness by year 5      Increase in mean abundance of high-value indicator      species by year 5      Maintain calcareous grassland on N. Spur      Graze for a minimum of 10 weeks in Jan-Apr (strim Tenant R   N. Spur where grazing not possible) grazier Cut scrub to maintain small islands contributing to £200 / habitat matrix. Maintain extent to that in hard to reach R   Volunteers N. Spur annum areas (approx. 5 % cover) Target scrub clearance to where recently expanding into grassland and on banks above main path up to R   Volunteers N. Spur war memorial

R   £500 Volunteers N. Spur Control regrowth on inner ramparts

Consider protecting an area from further nutrient R + CM    £300 N. Spur enrichment by fencing out dogs and visitors. Reduce scrub extent in north-east corner around    Frying Pan R Volunteers N. Spur Where grazing currently not possible, regularly £200 / R   Entire site strim or flail annum Maintain areas of species-rich lowland meadow within Plateau Fields (Stroud's Meadow East and      West)

Tenant Take a hay crop annually after 15th July-vary cut R   Plateau grazier height within field and cut time between field

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Aftermath graze August-November at 2 Lu/ha to Tenant R   Plateau achieve October target sward of 2-10 cm grazier Top thistles in summer prior to flowering R   Volunteers Plateau Tenant R   Plateau Leave 6m outer margin uncut grazier Mow footpath around and through meadows with £200 / R   Plateau varied cut heights and scalloping annum Create inner wildflower margin by leaving one side Tenant completely uncut on an annual rotation (to be R   Plateau grazier aftermath grazed only) Consider wildflower seeding inner margin following appropriate ground preparation with spring grazing to R    £400 Plateau help establish Treat hogweed 2x in summer before flowering. £100 / Possibly a series of hard spring grazes to help R    Plateau annum control it Targets:     

     No reduction in mean sward species richness Cover of bare ground ≤ 5 % by year 5      Frequent abundance of 2 high-value indicator      species for lowland meadow grassland by year 5 Maintain areas of rough meadow within Plateau      Fields (Butcher’s Hill, The Warren).

     Butcher's Hill Tenant R     Plateau Top field every other year in September grazier

Aftermath graze to achieve an October target sward R   Plateau height of 15-25 cm Control undesirable species by pulling, spot £100 / R   Plateau treatment and topping in summer annum Mow footpath around and through meadows with R   £200 / Plateau

77 varied cut heights and scalloping annum The Warren      Tenant R    Plateau Top field every other year in September grazier Introduce a spring graze and higher intensity autumn Tenant graze for two years and monitor for response in R     Plateau grazier sward diversity Consider seeding to increase chance of restoration success: Autumn harrowing (50 % bare ground), R     £500 Plateau green hay spread, rolling, then keep sward short throughout spring via grazing £100 / Control undesirable species by pulling, spot R   Plateau treatment and topping in summer annum Mow footpath around and through meadows with £200 / R   Plateau varied cut heights and scalloping annum

Manage the dry acid pasture and rough grassland      of Witcombe Graze sward Apr-Nov at approx. 0.3 Lu/ha to achieve Tenant October target sward of 2-10 cm (40 cm in difficult R   Witcombe grazier areas). Winter graze if required. Control undesirable species by pulling and topping, £100 / R   Volunteers Witcombe and spot treatment at top of valley annum

R + CM    Witcombe Consider introduction of grazing by native ponies

Mechanically remove large gorse thickets from strip R    £400 Volunteers Witcombe lynchets (Oct-Feb) Control bracken by whipping with hand held rods in £50 / Summer (2x in first year). Follow up spot spraying R   Volunteers Witcombe annum with glyphosate Targets:      Cover of wildflowers between 20 % and 90 % by year      5

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Cover of bare ground ≤ 5 % by year 5      Frequent abundance of 2 high-value indicator      species for each grassland type by year 5      Cover of scrub reduced by 40 - 100 %

     Cover of bracken reduced by 40 - 100 %      No reduction in mean sward species richness Restore Pit Wood lowland pasture      Graze sward Apr-Nov at 1 Lu/ha to achieve October Tenant R   Pit target sward of 2-10 cm (40 cm in difficult areas) grazier Consider introduction of grazing by native ponies or R + CM    Pit cattle Control undesirable species by pulling and and £100 / R   Volunteers Pit topping in summer annum Control bracken by whipping with hand held rods in £25 / Summer (2x in first year). Follow up spot spraying R   Volunteers Pit annum with glyphosate Targets:      Cover of wildflowers between 20 % and 90 % by year      5 Cover of bare ground ≤ 5 % by year 5      Cover of scrub reduced by 40 - 100 %     

     Cover of bracken reduced by 40 -100 %      Increase in mean sward species richness by year 5 Increase in mean abundance of high-value indicator      species by year 5      Establish and maintain woodland monitoring      programme

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Set up monitoring programme to be undertaken Hedgecock, during tree safety survey (see methodology in R + CM     Pit, Horses, appendix 1) N. Spur Hedgecock, Utilise fixed point photography as monitoring tool for R   Pit, Horses, woodland condition N. Spur Management of woodland units located on ramparts           Manage Hedgecock Wood to prevent damage to      ramparts £200 / R    Hedgecock Extract fallen timber from top rampart annum Fell sweet chestnuts on top rampart that pose risk of   failing and extract timber R £200 Hedgecock Investigate possibility of using horses to extract R    Hedgecock timber Control scrub on ramparts (75 % removal) R   £500 Volunteers Hedgecock Reduce canopy cover via coppicing and thinning on R   £800 Arb team Hedgecock top and bottom ramparts Manage existing scallops along main bridleway: £100 / annually strim grassland core, 3 year rotational cut of R   Hedgecock annum herbaceous margin Continue to pursue possibility of managing privately R + CM    Landowner Hedgecock owned plantation £100 / R    Volunteers Hedgecock Continue laurel clearance on bottom rampart annum Strim nettle bank on western edge of wood to £50 / R     Hedgecock improve floral diversity on 3 year rotation annum Manage clearing at A. To improve sward diversity. £50 / Annually strim grassland core and rotationally cut R   Hedgecock annum herbaceous margin. Manage woodlands on Northern Spur (Eastern      ramparts) Manage scrub to reduce cover by 75 % R   £500 Volunteers N. Spur Reduce canopy cover via coppicing, pollarding and R   £600 Volunteers, N. Spur

80 selective thinning in strips down ramparts Arb team Create glades in wider sections: annually strim grass £200 / core and cut herbaceous margin on staggered 3 year R   N. Spur annum rotation Investigate the use of horse to extract timber R    N. Spur Investigate potential to manage as woodland pasture    and seek funding for necessary capital works R + CM N. Spur Scrub control on southern half of Northern Spur      Scrub to be removed from all but the most £200 / R   Volunteers N. Spur inaccessible areas (Oct-Feb). Target of 75 % removal annum £100 / R   Volunteers N. Spur Manage regrowth by hand and via treatment annum Dispose of cut material via chipping and burning R   Volunteers N. Spur Seek to retain corridors of scrub between car parks to R   N. Spur provide woodland connectivity from east to west Manage woodland strip south of Harvey’s Quarry      to protect top rampart Manage scrub to reduce cover by 75 % R   £200 Volunteers N. Spur Coppice and thin woodland to reduce canopy cover R   £200 N. Spur Management of woodland units not on ramparts      Continue restoration of Pit Wood      £100 / R   Pit Continue removal of 20-30 sycamore per annum annum Replant with local native stock to encourage £200 / R   Volunteers Pit development of shrub layer annum Cut back scrub along fence line and canopy manage    willows R £300 Volunteers Pit Aid natural regeneration by clearing around selected £50 / R   Pit saplings to encourage growth annum Keep holly checked should it respond to increased R   £50 Volunteers Pit light penetration Control extent of bramble in woodland R    £100 Volunteers Pit Cut gorse on rotation to manage leginess and  £50 / R    Volunteers Pit maintain habitat value  annum Target:     

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Non-native species comprise < 10 % of canopy cover      Manage deadwood in woodlands where required      Hedgecock, R   Pit, Horse, N. Retain standing deadwood if safe and practical Spur Hedgecock, R   Volunteers Pit, Horse, N. Habitat pile and leave in-situ all fallen deadwood Spur Hedgecock, Habitat pile and leave in-situ proportion of brash R   Volunteers Pit, Horse, N. following cutting Spur Hedgecock, Habitat pile larger timber where hibernacula provision R   Volunteers Pit, Horse, N. required Spur Target:      Standing and fallen deadwood over 20 cm diameter      present throughout woodlands Manage woodlands sustainably for timber provision and to benefit wildlife and landscape      character Hedgecock,  £100 / Coppice hazel stools on seven year rotation (focus R    Volunteers Pit, Horse, N.  annum efforts in Pit Wood) Spur Hedgecock, £100 / Traditionally manage selected trees to maintain R   Arb team Pit, Horse, N. annum structural heterogeneity and varying light conditions Spur Hedgecock, £50 / R   Volunteers Pit, Horse, N. annum Keep abundance of bramble and elder in check Spur Hedgecock, Zonally manage open features including rides and R   £200 Pit, Horse, N. glades where present via cutting Spur Control all rhododendron, laurel and japanese R   £300 Volunteers Enitre site knotweed Retain scrub where appropriate for habitat value but Hedgecock, manage extent. Control by cutting on 8-12 year R   £200 Pit, Horse, N. rotation Spur

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Ensure all planting material of locally sourced, native R + CM   Suppliers Entire site stock £400 / R   Arb team Entire site Action priority work identified by tree safety survey annum Manage Horses wood and wet woodland as      minimum intervention areas Rotationally coppice hazel stools (only regeneration R     £200 Volunteers Horses intervention) Manage canopies of standards to ensure public £100 / R   Arb team Horses safety annum Remove laurel and other exotics from wet woodland   and manage the abundance of sycamore R £200 Volunteers Witcombe Leave areas of old growth and over-mature stands R   Manage bramble along fenceline R    £100 Volunteers Prevent public access to wet woodland R   Witcombe Conserve veteran trees      Identify and map locations of trees (DBH > 1.7 m) Hedgecock, that will be suitable to retain as managed veteran R    £50 GIS team Pit, Horse, N. trees (esp. oak, ash and sweet chestnut) Spur Try to develop network of veteran trees across Hedgecock, woodland landscape by identifying those with R    Pit, Horse, N. potential to become managed veteran trees Spur Complete annual tree safety survey. R   Entire site Hedgecock, Canopy management of veteran sweet chestnut R   £300 Arb team Pit, Horse, N. stools. Spur Hedgecock, R   £300 Arb team Pit, Horse, N. Canopy management of large ash stools. Spur Target:      No reduction in the number of veteran trees      Ensure management does not damage      archaeological features Vehicles not be taken onto land when ground   conditions unsuitable R Entire site

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On ramparts, trees and scrub to cut off at ground R   Entire site level and stumps treated in-situ Steps should be taken to avoid damage from falling R   Entire site timber Manage stocking density to prevent excessive Tenant R   Entire site poaching especially when waterlogged grazier Manage burning to ensure minimal damage to R   Entire site earthworks Seek Scheduled Ancient Monument consent for English R + CM   Entire site major works Heritage Targets:      No reduction in soil depth covering features      Identify and manage new planting areas      £100 / R   Strim vegetation growth twice a year. annum Remove tree guards when trees large enough. R   Volunteers Dependent Investigate potential of extending Pit Wood into R + CM    on external grassland core funding Seek grants for the provision of new tree stock R + CM   FHHCP Sympathetically manage woodlands for dormice      Hedgecock, R Maintain canopy connectivity (pinch points) along   Pit, Horse, N. paths and rides at least every 100 m Spur Hedgecock, Maintain hazel shrub layer coppiced on > 7 year R   £200 Volunteers Pit, Horse, N. rotation especially where scrub removed Spur Reintroduce hazel coppice into woodland around    Sandy Lane R £100 N. Spur Seek to increase habitat connectivity across site      Relay hedge as part of HLS agreement along    Witcombe track R £500 Witcombe Extend re-laid Witcombe Lane hedge past sheep corral to connect with north-western corner of Pit R    £400 Witcombe Wood

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Further investigate possibility to relay hedge Harvey’s R + CM    N. Spur alongside quarry Quarry Dependent Consider capital project to create hedge alongside R + CM    Plateau on external southern boundary of Plateau Fields funding Integrate HLS specification into work practices      where relevant and appropriate Complete outstanding prescriptions within latest R     Volunteers Entire site capital works grant Plateau, Tenant R   -£6000 Witcombe, grazier Maintain grazing on all site units. Pit Investigate potential future HLS funding      opportunities Apply for future capital works grants if eligible R + CM   NE Entire site Undertake restoration of the pond in Witcombe      Valley Dependent Secure funding to undertake dredging activities within R + CM     £1000 Contractors Witcombe on external the pond funding Ensure archaeological monitoring during dredging      activities R + CM Witcombe Undertake restoration of the Witcombe Valley      stream Manage willows around exposed section of stream R    £200 Witcombe Seek free project advice from the River Restoration R + CM    RRC Witcombe Centre and approx. project costs Dependent Secure funding to undertake stream restoration R + CM    FHHCP Witcombe on external project funding Investigate potential to create pond at bottom of      Pit Wood Establish test bore holes to monitor water levels and    viability of project R £500 Pit Dependent R + CM     Pit Secure funding for pond creation if deemed viable on external

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funding Re-locate fox pen R      Pit Review site vehicle fleet and purchase options to     maintain and if possible increase capacity CM £300 Lufton depot n/a Manage public enquiries regarding the social and Quarry environmental impact of quarrying activities on R + CM   companies, n/a HHCP Comms team Manage the park as a core element of a wider      ecological network Seek to engage with landscape scale conservation Relevant R + CM   Entire site projects through partnership working organisations Contribute to development of SSDC Green Relevant Infrastructure Strategy ensuring strong recognition of CM    SSDC n/a HHCP departments Identify potential connections for wildlife to wider R + CM   Landowners Entire site landscape and approach relevant landowners Ensure co-ordination with regional level      biodiversity strategies Provide input to Somerset Local Nature Partnership CM   n/a Contribute to and implement where appropriate Local   BAP actions R + CM Entire site Continue to recognise the objectives of the Somerset R + CM   n/a Biodiversity Partnership Utilise off site contributions from development      via the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Develop evidence base for HHCP as key element     within Green Infrastructure Strategy R + CM n/a Produce justifiable impact multiplier for planning and CM     n/a developers for offsite contributions Identify potential extensions to Country Park funded through CIL in line with proposed Green R + CM    Entire site Infrastructure Strategy Aim 2: Provide opportunities for responsible recreation and access to Ham Hill Country Park, promoting the site through interpretative and educational material.

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Maintain the network of paths to enable      recreation and works access Scrape mud from significantly wet paths where mud £100 / R   Volunteers Entire site has accumulated annum Cut back paths in a two-phased approach based on £300 / R   Volunteers Entire site cutting programme and log annum Where feasible, address where ATV access along R    £200 Entire site paths is currently prevented Ensure the public rights of way network is open and   signed. R Entire site Cut back and remove fencing around planted willow R     £100 Volunteers Witcombe 'ammonite' feature at bottom of Witcombe Valley Review on site interpretation and      update/refurbish where necessary Entire site Introduce more ecological information into on-site R + CM   £500 Designer n/a interpretation Incorporate information from recent archaeological     digs into on-site interpretation R + CM £500 Arch. Unit n/a Provide interpretation detailing the significance of the R + CM     £50 Witcombe wet woodland Dependent Pursue development of smartphone application      on external for Country Park funding Secure funding for development and implementation CM   n/a Integrate app development into on-site interpretation R + CM    n/a update Investigate potential to deliver audio tour via CM     IT team n/a smartphone app Continue to promote site and centre as an      educational facility. Undertake marketing drive aimed at schools that Local R + CM   £300 currently do not use the site schools Encourage use of Ham Hill Centre by Educational R + CM   n/a organisations and Initiatives Promote site and the centre via web pages, social R + CM   Comms team n/a

87 media and press releases

R + CM   £200 n/a Promote National Curriculum linked education pack Host a teacher’s day. R + CM     £300 n/a Develop the capacity of the Friend's Group to R + CM   n/a promote the site and centre as a learning resource Continue to provide national curriculum linked, ranger R + CM   FHHCP n/a led educational sessions. Deliver sessions via the outdoor classroom. R   n/a Maintain partnership with Kingston Maurward college. R + CM   KMC n/a Seek to increase bookings of Ham Hill Centre      through marketing drive Contact relevant organisations regarding regular use   of the centre R + CM n/a Achieve at least 1 press article per month in local R + CM   Comms team n/a media about centre and its facilities. Ensure publicity literature is available in many outlets CM   TICs n/a and online. Develop the capacity of the Friend's Group to market R + CM   £200 FHHCP n/a the centre and secure bookings Develop the opportunities at the Ham Hill Centre,      including weekend opening. Continue to provide summer weekend rangers to CM   n/a open the centre. Develop opportunities for Friends and volunteers to    operate centre when rangers not present R + CM £200 FHHCP n/a    £300 Designer n/a Create volunteers, staff and friends panel for centre. Consider corporate sponsorship of centre in the   future. CM n/a

Investigate the installation of renewable electricity CM    Contractor N. Spur generation for the centre

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R   n/a Keep Ham Hill Centre notice board updated Improve where possible, easy access provision      and promote this £200 / R   N. Spur Maintain all-ability path annum     Re-invigorate promotion of Tramper availability R + CM  £100 Comms team n/a Seek to raise the profile of Ham Hill's      archaeological significance Dependent on funding CM    Arch. unit Entire site and Secure future archaeological digs permission Identify opportunities to provide public access to dig R + CM    Entire site operations and findings Develop and maintain off site references to Country    Park e.g. town literature R + CM £200 TICs n/a

Continue to deliver appropriate recreational      management £400 / R   annum Entire site Replace and repair site furniture as necessary average Ensure park entrance signs are welcoming and clear R   Entire site Ensure all park waymarkers are in good state of R   Entire site repair Re-grade and repair most severe pot holes in car Volunteers R   £800 N. Spur parks Create new car park next to Butcher's Hill R + CM    Contractor Plateau Work closely with PCSO on car crime and vulnerable R + CM   PCSO n/a vehicle Scheme.

Look to develop anti-vandal measures on structures R   £300 Entire site and explore the use of new materials

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Continue to use boulders and gates to prevent R   Entire site dangerous verge side parking. Improve the path surface at busy pinch points, R   £300 Volunteers Entire site particularly gateways e.g. bark chippings Promote awareness of different user groups at R + CM   n/a events and within literature Encourage responsible recreation and public access of the Country Park and wider      countryside Keep on site information and news boards up to date R   Entire site to ensure public well informed Seek engagement with hard to reach community Community groups to raise awareness of responsible countryside R + CM   group n/a use leaders

Use Ham Hill Centre to raise awareness of wildlife R + CM   n/a and on site conservation efforts Enforce designated mountain biking area R   PCSO N. Spur Undertake Ham Hill ‘census’ to highlight      sensitivity of HHCP and impacts of management £300 Gather data on multiple criteria R     Entire site Communicate results and implications R + CM    n/a Local Involve community and school groups in data R     schools, n/a collection effort youth groups      Address issues associated with dog access

Provide dog waste bins in relevant locations across R   Entire site the Country Park Empty bins twice per week R   £500 Entire site Maintain close working relationship with SSDC dog   enforcement officer R n/a

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Rangers to undergo training and receive further R + CM    £200 n/a enforcement powers relating to dog control orders Continue to promote awareness of livestock worrying R   Comms team Entire site by dogs Seek to identify and coordinate all organised      activities on site £100 Invite potential user groups to discuss use of YCP for   activities R + CM n/a

Investigate feasibility of generating revenue from CM   n/a organised user groups Ensure all organised user groups/activities possess R + CM   n/a relevant risk assessments Encourage safe use of site by groups e.g.   orienteering clubs. R + CM Entire site      Ensure the site is safe for the public

R + CM   Entire site Carry out annual risk assessment reviews R   Entire site Carry out annual tree safety survey Promote healthy living schemes in the Country      Park and use of the wider countryside Coordinate with the Health Team the use of the R + CM   Health team n/a Country Park for the delivery of health walks Continue to maintain and promote orienteering £100 / R   N. Spur course annum Encourage access to the wider countryside through R    n/a promotion of the site's PROW connectivity Develop a new series of themed trails with      associated literature Develop archaeological rampart loop walking trail R    £400 Entire site Develop series of wildlife themed trails e.g.    woodland, grassland £400 Entire site

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Stabilise areas of erosion.      Rotationally block severely eroded paths to allow for R   Entire site vegetation growth and natural repair. Monitor for signs of erosion on mown paths in   Plateau Fields and alter location if necessary R Plateau Continue to develop online presence of HHCP      Link bird box cams to web site and also erect new R    £1000 IT team N. Spur horizon view cam. Update information esp. regarding recent R + CM    Entire site archaeological findings and biodiversity Provide online booking facility for events CM      n/a R + CM   n/a Utilise Twitter to promote site and engage with public Provide online database of images for use by the    public CM £100 n/a Investigate ways to facilitate access to audio tour via CM     IT team n/a new online technology Deliver annual PR and marketing plan.      Aim for 1 positive media story per month R + CM   Comms team n/a Rangers trained and confident in speaking on the R + CM   n/a local radio and dealing with the press. Comms and Maintain positive working relationship with the R + CM   tourism n/a Communications and Tourism Teams. teams Increase promotion through local and community   media channels R + CM Comms team n/a

CM   n/a Consider production of e-newsletter Revision of site leaflet R + CM    £500 Designer n/a

     Run a diverse annual programme of events. Events leaflet produced and launched every CM   £3000 / n/a

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February. annum £6000 / R + CM   n/a Deliver annual major event e.g. September fayre. annum

Develop innovative events based on current trends R + CM   £400 n/a e.g. Citizen Science, 'wildlife safari' Utilise event form feedback in development of annual   programme R + CM n/a Continue to run successful events programme in £200 / R   n/a school holidays annum Based on demand, deliver more events aimed at R    £300 n/a adults e.g. interest talks Seek to coordinate the delivery of events with CHAC R + CM    CHAC n/a through shared use of resources and expertise Apply for Green Flag award annually      £400 / R + CM   Green Flag n/a Apply for award annually annum Remain active members of the scheme as a venue   and judge R + CM Green Flag n/a Aim 3: Offer diverse opportunities for people to get involved with the Country Park Continue to run a weekly practical conservation   volunteer group Volunteers £500 / Develop a wider range of non-practical volunteering R + CM    Volunteers n/a opportunities annum Identify volunteer leaders willing to deliver specialist R    Volunteers n/a talks Provide diverse training and development      opportunities for volunteers Consider the appointment and training of 'super-   volunteers' to provide leadership opportunities R + CM £400 Volunteers n/a Offer practical countryside management R + CM   £300 n/a qualifications Consultant, R + CM   £300 n/a Provide survey methodology and wildlife ID training expert

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volunteers

Organise group visits to other countryside sites and R + CM   £200 Volunteers n/a include workshops days.

Continue support of Friends of Ham Hill Country      FHHCP Park and assist in the development of the group

R + CM     n/a Provide support to facilitate recruitment drive

R + CM   n/a Organise meetings every 6 weeks.

Suggest projects for development and provide R + CM   n/a administrative support.

R + CM   n/a Encourage funding bids for projects.

     TBC Offer an annual apprenticeship scheme.

Recruit new apprentices in May to start on site in R + CM   n/a September.

R + CM   KMC n/a Coordinate training with Kingston Maurward college.

     n/a Complete NVQ level 2 by March annually.

Train apprentices in job applications and interview R + CM   n/a techniques.

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Offer feedback opportunities from site users and      the community, acting on this

£200 / R    Volunteers n/a annum Carry out biennial visitor survey

Develop ways to increase presence of and access to R + CM    n/a ranger team e.g. volunteer front of house staff £50 / Include feedback mechanisms with all events and CM   n/a annum analyse annually in Nov Local R + CM   schools/ Offer work experience placements. colleges Community Work with representatives of hard to reach R + CM   group n/a groups to develop volunteering opportunities leaders £500 / Community Continue to deliver community tree planting R   Entire site initiatives annum groups

Maintain a presence on the South Somerset   SSCSG n/a Countryside Steering Group

Help group to raise profile and expand membership R + CM    n/a to include more local stakeholders

Involve the private sector in the management and      n/a projects of the Country Park

R + CM   n/a Offer 'staff team days' to external organisations

Provide corporate sponsorship opportunities linked to R + CM   n/a development projects within HHCP

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CM   n/a Invite local businesses to sit on Steering Group

Aim 4: Deliver financial and environmental sustainability whilst meeting all legal and other obligations

CM   Legal team n/a Ensure bylaws up to date and relevant

     Maintain protection for designated site features

English Inform and seek consent prior to works from statutory R + CM   Entire site Heritage, NE organisations associated with site designations

Manage volunteers in accordance with SSDC R   Volunteers n/a Volunteer Policy

  Carry out annual tree safety and health surveys

£2500 / R   Arb team Entire site annum Implement tree work identified by surveys

Monitor trees for sings of disease (eg Chalara R   Entire site fraxinea) and follow recommended guidelines

Respond to tree safety concerns and reports from the R   Entire site public

Monitor monthly performance via a balance CM   n/a scorecard

     Carry out annual risk assessment updates

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Attend annual risk assessment review meeting with R + CM   n/a staff in Jan

Continue to acknowledge existing agreements R + CM   n/a and licences Contractors, Control all noxious weeds such as japanese R   TBC neighbouring Entire site knotweed and giant hogweed landowners

Embed environmental sustainability into all      aspects of work

R   n/a Maintain efficient fuel and resource use

Timber Ensure all timber procurement is FSC certified in line R + CM   n/a suppliers with SSDC tree policy

Continue to develop ways to generate alternative      income

Rangers R + CM    Office Consider the installation and use of donation boxes

Continue to investigate ways to generate car parking R + CM   n/a revenue

R   n/a Continue to promote wood sale service

Consider offering corporate sponsorship R + CM   n/a opportunities

     Maximise financial sustainability

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Continually seek ways to improve operational R + CM   n/a efficiency e.g. use of in house skills

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Appendices

Appendix 1: Woodland monitoring programme:

The following outlines the methodology to be undertaken in order to determine a baseline for the current broad condition of the woodland units and then enable this to be monitored.

-Whilst undertaking tree safety survey, identify points on route to assess woodland condition. Approximately want three per hectare. These will be the permanent monitoring points year on year. Ensure that all woodland units are included.

-The monitoring programme can be undertaken biennially on rotation should this be more feasible.

-In Pit Wood, ensure assessment areas include areas of current restoration.

-Visualise a 20 m circle with surveyor at the centre to form the assessment area.

-Within each make a quick visual assessment for the criteria below. Estimate approximate values for each and compare against favourable condition target. These values will also enable annual monitoring of general woodland condition.

-The assessment methodology is intended to be quick and not too onerous so that it can be incorporated into the tree safety survey. Certain criteria deemed to be less important can be omitted from the assessment.

Structure and natural processes:

 Shrub layer (understorey 2-5 m) present over at least 50 % of area  Canopy cover between 50 and 100 % (may be less for coppiced areas with standards)  At least three age classes evident spread out over the commonest species  Areas of old growth/mature stand/veteran trees  Signs of natural regeneration (seedlings growing to saplings and coppice regrowth)  Deadwood present including standing deadwood and fallen deadwood (full trees and brash piles)  Significant evidence of herbivore damage to woodland structure

Composition: trees and shrubs:

 95 % of tree and shrub cover of native species

Ground flora:

 presence of ground and field layer of at least 20 %  ancient woodland indicator species present within field layer (if appropriate season)  approximate species richness of ground flora where present (ground and field layer) (if appropriate season)

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Appendix 2

Appendix 2: Grassland monitoring programme:

Monitoring of the grassland attributes will help contribute to the development of a current baseline in habitat condition whilst allowing changes in the overall status of the grassland to be monitored over time. Regular assessment will also help to inform management that may be required in order to encourage the development and in certain cases successful restoration of a grassland of greater floral diversity, wider biodiversity value and resilience.

Within the Plateau Fields, a transect should be established that follows a W pattern across each field to maximise the survey coverage of the unit and thus contribute to a more representative sample. Along this transect, the location for 1 m2 quadrats should be determined randomly.

Within each quadrat, the following variables should be measured:

 Overall Species richness  Abundance of each species present (using domin scale to then inform diversity)  % cover of bare ground  % cover of undesirable species (to also monitor effectiveness of thistle treatment)  Average sward height (cm)

Within the established calcareous grassland and those undergoing restoration on the Northern Spur, the Pit Wood core and Witcombe Valley, a series of permanent 1 m2 quadrats should be set up. These should aim to be as representative of the grassland unit as possible with a recommended density of four per hectare which is sufficient for monitoring purposes. A greater density however would provide more detailed and representative results were resources available to increase survey effort. Their locations should be mapped to ensure consistency.

The above attributes should be measured in each quadrat.

In grassland units where bracken and nettles are present in dense stands, fixed point photography can be used to estimate change in extent and the impact of management.

If possible, results of the monitoring should be cross -referenced with the targets included within the HLS management options. This will help to evaluate progress in relation to these management objectives and may provide evidence to justify the funding of future grassland restoration works across more of the Country Park’s ramparts.

The survey data may also be able to help indicate particular NVC plant communities that are represented within the grassland units although it is likely that greater survey effort and a larger sample number will be needed to meet the requirements of NVC.

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Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Bats Hibernation roost Activity surveys Bat box inspection checks Badgers Sett surveys Sett surveys Reptiles Peak survey Peak months survey month

Dormice Nut and old nest Nest tube and box searches. Nut searches from Sep Nut and old searches nest searches (optimum) Birds Winter bird Migrant and breeding bird Breeding bird Migrant and breeding Winter bird surveys surveys surveys bird surveys surveys Habitats/vegetation Phase 1 and NVC (optimum)

*The above table in general indicates the optimal survey periods

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Appendix 3: Management compartments at Park Ham 3:compartments Hill Country Appendix Management

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Spur 1: Compartment The Northern

A

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Compartment Compartment

2: The Plateau 2:Fields The Plateau

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Compartment 3: Compartment

Witcombe Valley Witcombe

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Compartment Compartment

4: Wood Horses

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Compartment 5 Compartment

: Pit : Wood Pit

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Compartment 6 Compartment

: Hedgecock Hill :Woods Hedgecock

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Appendix 4: Zones within Pit Wood compartment Wood Pit 4: within Zones Appendix

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Appendix 5: Land ownership of Ham Hill Country Park of Ham 5: Hill ownership Country Land Appendix

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Appendix 6 Appendix

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Appendix Appendix

7

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Appendix 8 Appendix

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Appendix 9 Appendix

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Appendix 10 Appendix

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Appendix 11 Appendix

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Appendix 12: Volunteer policy:

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Appendix 13: Placement policy:

It should be noted that the Rangers at Ham Hill Country Park run a volunteer team on a Wednesday and in Yeovil Country Park the day is Thursday. It is felt that the ever increasing requests from schools and colleges to take placements could have a detrimental effect upon the dynamic of our volunteer teams. These are currently comprised of adult volunteers, who give up their time to work with the rangers. They do not necessarily expect to be working alongside a group undertaking reparation work, or excluded pupils. Additionally the rangers are not trained social workers and at times the work can be hazardous. We feel that the risks are too high to continue to offer the same number of placements, and we will now not be allowing them on our regular volunteer days.

The team have decided the following:

• We will continue to accept work experience placements from schools for 1 or 2 weeks at a time. The maximum number we will take at any one time is 2 placements. All requests must be directed through the coordinator Natalie Weston. It should be noted that we will give priority to students wishing to work in the countryside, not just individuals that don’t want to go to an office.

• Any Youth Offending Team placements must be accompanied by a team leader and timings and projects must be arranged with the rangers in advance.

• We will not accept individuals from colleges or other organisations on regular weekdays except on the standard volunteer day. The rangers have a busy workload, and most of it is not suitable for un qualified students / volunteers. This must be understood by external organisations.

• For groups like the PRU wishing to bring a team of students for a day or so we will now implement a charge. The charge is £20 per person per half day. This will include a relevant project with a ranger to lead it. Training in use of hand tools, use of SSDC PPE and refreshments. These days will need to be arranged with the site ranger in advance, much like you would organise a school visit.

There are substantial risks in working in the countryside with hand tools. These new guidelines take this into account. Both our Country Park sites are open public access and we need to ensure that both staff and public are safe and that the reputation of South Somerset District Council is not jeopardised.

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Bibliography:

Adkins, L & R, (1992). Ham Hill Somerset: Project Synopsis

Countryside Council for Wales (1994) - Management Planning Handbook: external version C.C.W

Dandridge, R, (2000). Ham Hill Iron Age Hillfort: Information Pack for Students and Teachers. South Somerset

Elton, D, (1989). Ham Hill Country Park: Habitat and Wildflower Survey.

Large, R, (2000). Somerset Notable Species Dictionary - Somerset Environmental Records Centre (SERC)

Menday, K, (1999). Horse’s Wood Management Plan: 1999-2004. South Somerset District Council

Menday, K, (2000). Pit Wood Management Plan: 2000-2005. South Somerset District Council

Natural England, (2010), Farm Environment Plan (FEP) Manual, Third Edition

Natural England (2010), Ham Hill Country Park HLS Agreement

Prudden, H, (1995). Ham Hill the Rocks and Quarries. South Somerset District Council

Royal Commission of the Historical Monuments of England (1997). Ham Hill: Somerset (RCHME), Crown Copyright.

South Somerset District Council (1997). ,Witcombe Management Plan

Stow, J, (2000). Ham Hill Country Park: Landscape and habitat survey, Strouds Hill West Meadow.

Palmer, K, (1976) “The Folklore of Somerset”

Tongue, R, L, (1965) “Somerset Folklore”

Menfold, G, E, (1921) “Somerset Ghost and Legends”

Wessex Archaeology, (2011), Ham Hill Country Park Archaeological Management Plan

Yeovil and District Natural history society. (December 2012). Survey of Species in Ham Hill Country Park.

Acknowledgements:

Jonathan Marshman, Countryside Ranger, Ham Hill Country Park

Paul McNeill, Countryside Ranger, Ham Hill Country Park

Katy Menday, Countryside Manager, SSDC

Deborah Wilson, Countryside Administration Assistant, SSDC

Rachael Whaites, Countryside Ranger, Yeovil Country Park

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Jo Chesworth, Senior Conservation Officer, Bumblebee Conservation Trust

Somerset Wildlife Trust's Yeovil & District Area Group

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