Our origins…
This is the original letter (dated 18 September 1966) that Dudley Brook wrote to Dr C W Walker, chairman of Herefordshire & Radnorshire Nature Trust Ltd, reporting a meeting at which a proposal to form a local group of like-minded naturalists in Ledbury was discussed. This was met with enthusiasm and lead to the establishment of the Ledbury Naturalists & Field Club.
Historical Survey records…
Beginning in 1999, with a survey of Ledbury Town trail, a group of Ledbury Naturalists members, ably led by Janet Parry, carried out surveys of the flora and fauna, and sometimes the geology, of habitats in or around Ledbury. Most were at the request of the landowner. Surveyed sites are diverse and include woodland and reclaimed farmland, ancient estates and areas of the Malvern hills.
Surveys were based on monthly visits to the chosen site from March to October when survey members record all species found to compile a detailed database of the wildlife present during the spring and summer period. Data are collated, and a report produced for each location that are archived on this website and the individual records submitted to Herefordshire Biological Records Centre (HBRC) to enhance county records. Some reports have been used to inform decisions about the sites, for example, the survey of Broadmoor Common found use in decisions made by the Parish Council who now manage the common.
After long and distinguished service, Janet has retired from active duty in leading the surveys, so the group is not currently looking for places to survey, although it will consider requests from local landowners on a case-by-case basis.
For further information, please contact Janet by tel. 01531 640640 or email janet@jobeys.plus.com.
Completed surveys
- 1999 – Ledbury Town Trail & Riverside Walk report ; Town Trail Data
- 2000 – Ballards and Purlieu 2000 report ; Ballards land 2000 data
- 2003 – Frith wood 2003 report ; Frith wood 2003 data
- 2004 – Cother2004 report 2004 ; Cother 2004 data
- 2005 – Coneygree 2005 report ; Coneygree 2005 data
- 2006 – Hollybush 2006 report ; Hollybush 2006 data
- 2007 – Queenswood 2007 report ; Queenswood 2007 data
- 2008 – Old country 2008 report ; Old country 2008 data
- 2009 – Hope End 2009 Report ; Hope End 2009 data
- 2010 – The Purlieu 2010 report ; The Purlieu 2010 data
- 2011 – Hill house Cradley 2011 report ; Hill house Cradley 2011 data
- 2011 – Putley common 2011 report ; Putley common 2011 data
- 2012 – Hill Farm Castle Frome; Hill Farm List
- 2013 – Joans Hill farm; Joans Hill farm list
- 2014 – Old Colwall 2014 report ; Old Colwall 2014 data
- 2015 – Homme House 2015 report ; Homme House 2015 data ; Homme House 2015 Geology
- 2016 – Broadmoor2016 report ; Broadmoor data ; Historical records ; Geology notes
- 2017 – Dales Hall report ; Dales Hall Data ; Dales Hall Geology
- 2018 – Coddington Court Report ; Coddington Court Geology Appendix 1 ; Coddington Court Faunal list appendix 2 ; Coddington Court Original planting list Appendix 3