Welcome to Mabley Farm
The Wye Valley Youth Ranger group visited Mabley Farm on the
Woolhope dome in Herefordshire to assist with Open Farm Sunday, an annual
national event to showcase farms and farming. Mark O’Brien and Liz Vice who
farm the land at Woolhope are the current holders of the best farm in the under
100 hectare category of the Wye Valley AONB Farming Awards 2011. The farm
operates an extensive organic system supporting a huge range of wildlife whilst
enhancing the landscape.
Covering 75 hectares
in total, with two substantial areas of woodland, an area of traditional
parkland and several hay meadows, Mabley presents quite a challenge. Liz and Mark also graze and manage a Herefordshire
Nature Trust Reserve, Wessington Pasture, a remnant of traditional
Herefordshire grassland.
We started our tour at the village hall and walked across a
large field that was restored to meadow by Mark around eight years ago. It now
boasts a wealth of flowers including hay rattle and knap weed, and on our visit
the sun peeked out and brought the grassland alive with butterflies and bees on
our visit in sharp contrast to nearby arable fields.
We continued into Wessington Pastures and meet a volunteer
who was checking the nest boxes on the site. She shared with us some footage
from her camera that she had minutes ago captured, of 3 strong and healthy kestrel
chicks from one of the specialised nest boxes on the site.
The farm has built up a stock of longhorn cattle, as well as
Wiltshire Horned sheep. We got close up to the herd and inspected this year’s
calves. Mark explained how the animals fell out of fashion, as they take a long
time to mature for market. The Wiltshire Horned sheep unlike commercial flocks,
do not need shearing as they shed their wool naturally, a cost saving plus to
this unusual breed. Mark said of his animals;
‘The pedigree cattle and sheep are sold as quality breeding
livestock. The organic Longhorn beef from animals raised exclusively on an
extensive grassland system has supplied London restaurants, but we prefer to
sell our beef, lamb and mutton locally to selected pubs and restaurants and
also through our box scheme to individual customers.’
We continued on to a wet meadow bordering the small country
lane. This remnant of marshy meadow offers a sanctuary for the Southern Marsh
Orchid in which to flourish. On our visit the orchids were flowering in great
profusion, dotting the grassland with spires that ranged from purple to pink.
During their time on the farm, Liz and Mark have felled a
conifer forest to restore a more open broad leaved habitat with woodland
glades, offering nectar and foraging for bees and butterflies. The SSSI woodland is now coppiced on a
rotational basis producing good quality material for hedgelaying and green wood
workers.
There was a lot to take in. We stopped for lunch and then
the Youth Rangers split into four groups and were each assigned an area to talk
about. At 2pm the farm opened to the public and the visitors were escorted
around the farm with Mark as the main guide. The Youth Rangers assisting the
tour, were stationed at strategic locations along the way, they pointed out
interesting t flora, and were able to remember some facts and figures to relate
to the visitors. More stops were made to examine livestock and the charcoal
making on the site, with our Youth Rangers providing a wealth of interesting
information. Then it was time for tea and cake, and the brewing of water with
the Kelly Kettles. Thanks to Mark and Liz for a wonderful day, and well done
everyone you were brilliant.
To find out more about Mabley Farm, please follow the link
to the web site.
Identifying orchids
Brewing up
Refreshments
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