Staff - Malvern Hills Conservators

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Coppice Project at Park Wood Park Wood is 25 acres of woodland on the western slopes of the Hills. It is an ancient woodland coppice that has been used for lime extraction and charcoal production over the past centuries. Some fascinating quarries, derelict lime kilns and archaeological remains give us the clues to its past uses, but due to the economics of woodland management it has not been managed for many years. The multiple stems of the hazel coppice stools are either “over-stood” (too old) or they are dying off through lack of light. When the woodland was managed intensively there would be regular canopy breaks created when each area or “Coup” was cleared for the timber. This provided a great habitat for wildflowers, dormice and butterflies. In order to restore this habitat for the wildlife and bring the wood back into management we have teamed up with local woodland crafts worker Dave Jackson to restore the ancient coppice rotation. He is even making charcoal in the wood again. After the Clearance of the first coup last year, woodland flowers like Herb Paris and Violet Helleborine (a type of orchid) were found along with an abundance of Bluebells and Ramsons. Dave has also replanted and “layered” the hazel trees in the traditional way to restore the coppice to what it once was. Quarry Fencing As usual we continued with our programme of restoring and replacing the fences around the quarries on the Hills. We have over 70 quarries that need attending to and so it is a never-ending job. This year, by working in partnership with the Earth Heritage Trust, we have secured funding to replace the fencing around Gardiners Quarry and to fence the Upper Dingle Quarry for the first time. We have also extended and replaced the fencing around the Wyche Quarry and fenced along the wall around Earnslaw Quarry for safety reasons. Sustainable Tree Management For many years now it has been completely uneconomic to manage our planted woodland areas. Many sites on the Hills were planted with trees in the past but until now it has been far too costly to carry out thinning or felling for the benefit of the plantations. However, with the increase in timber and firewood prices we now have the opportunity to carry out this work. In fact we have even been offered a price per standing tonne for plantation thinning. We are working with local firewood processors and contractors to manage these areas and provide a sustainable fuel source. Because these areas are managed sustainably it is also a carbon neutral fuel source. 12
WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust The Trust was awarded a grant towards a Champions Project. The project proposal involves local communities conserving and utilizing their own sites of geological and landscape importance. The Trust approached the Malvern Hills Conservators as natural partners and four quarries were proposed under the scheme. As well as involving local people in the management of the quarries under the tutelage of our wardens the landscape around the quarries will benefit from the grant. Geo-Volunteers working with our volunteers. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership Our close association with the AONB team has resulted in national funding via the Heritage Lottery Fund supporting the reintroduction of grazing on the Malvern Hills and the restoration of eight water features on the Malvern Hills and Commons. Grazing Project The Grazing Project continues to evolve and this year we have active commoners turning stock out on the Northern Hills for the first time in 17 years. Sheep and cattle have grazed the Hills for thousands of years and with help from the Higher Level Stewardship grant scheme, run by Natural England, we have secured grazing on the Hills by local commoners for the near future. Trevor Bayliss and his son George are managing stock on the Middle Hills under a similar stewardship grant. These grants pay farmers to graze the Hills which are a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) providing government funding for 10 years to get the SSSI into favourable condition. 13
Page 1 and 2: MALVERN HILLS CONSERVATORS ANNUAL R
Page 3 and 4: CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD My second yea
Page 5 and 6: CONTENTS Pages Committees: Administ
Page 7 and 8: Waste Storage Facility Land on the
Page 9 and 10: LAND MANAGEMENT The Land Management
Page 11: Other incidents that have been conc
Page 15 and 16: Hayslad Spring Views from the Hills
Page 17: FINANCIAL INFORMATION A statement o
Page 20 and 21: Balance Sheet as at 31st March 2009
Page 22 and 23: Staff at 1 st November 2009 Ian Row

Staff - Malvern Hills Conservators

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