Skegness continued occasionally until 1939. The OS: 130 • GR: TF 115 350 • 1.20ha line was more successful for (3.00 acres) • Management freight traffic, particularly for agreement 1985 potatoes and grain. The Habitat type: Grassland Sleaford to Billingborough Access is from the site of the old railway section of track finally closed bridge on the lane running westwards on 28 July 1956. However, the form the village of Horbling. There is a track was retained and used path through the northern section. for some years to store Access to both cuttings is by the steps redundant railway wagons from the roadside. north of the A52 at Threekingham. (Information from Lost Railways of Lincolnshire). northern part of the reserve, and Scrub and grassland habitats on a After the closure of the railway the cleared scrub. This enthusiasm soon stretch of disused railway line. The green linear ‘wildlife corridor’ inevitably faltered and the area became reserve section of this old railway track started to change. Some land was sold neglected. By 1994 most of the grassy consists of a cutting and embankment. and converted back to agriculture. areas had succumbed to scrub Blackthorn and hawthorn scrub provide Some sections presented more of a encroachment, and the path long gone. nest sites for whitethroat and lesser challenge to convert, including the whitethroat, spotted flycatcher and tree cuttings and embankments within the Since 1994, under new management sparrow. In winter, seed supplies attract current reserve area. Scrub and within the Trust, the scrub has been flocks of finches and there is a large woodland started to colonise these pushed back and the grassy areas have thrush roost. The commoner butterflies areas, creating an attractive area for re-established. In 2003 volunteers from are also abundant. Control of scrub and wildlife. Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust the Prince’s Trust spent a week working maintenance of open grassy areas are archives reports that during a site on the reserve, installing steps, hedge the main management aims. survey in 1982 there were some fine planting and coppicing scrub. Prior to grassland areas where the track had actually working on the reserve they been removed, with more than one pair had carried out a number of fund- The 16 mile single track Great Northern of nightingales being seen and heard in raising activities, which paid for the step Railway line between Bourne and the scrub areas. material, hedge planting, and seating. Sleaford opened for goods traffic in At that time there was some threat that The reserve is now a small haven for October 1871. A passenger service the land would also be levelled and wildlife. The steps allow easier access to started on 2 January 1872 with five converted to agriculture. A local the northern part of the reserve and passenger trains a day. With just four campaign to save the area was created a circular walk from the village, stations between Bourne and Sleaford mounted, instigated by Jason Wright, a which has become very popular. Local (Morton Road, Rippingale, schoolboy at Brown’s School in farmers have used the presence of the Billingborough and Horbling, Aswarby Horbling. The campaign featured in the nature reserve to enhance their land and Scredington) the journey time was local press and a 140 signature petition under the Higher Level Stewardship 50 minutes, making the average speed was sent to the site owners, the Crown scheme (HLS). This government funded around 20mph. Estate Commissioners. scheme aims to deliver significant With poor connecting services, the line environmental benefits to land in the Eventually, the present reserve area scheme. Together with the Trust was never well used by passengers, and was leased from Crown Estates to the closed for passenger traffic in reserve and the historically important Trust as a nature reserve in 1985. ridge and furrow field adjacent to the September 1930, although special Initially Trust volunteers worked at Sunday excursions between Bourne and reserve, this provides a much larger establishing a path through the ‘corridor’ to other wildlife areas. Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Banovallum House, Manor House Street, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 5HF Tel: 01507 526667 | Email: [email protected] | www.lincstrust.org.uk Registered charity no. 218895 .