A Summer walk near Holt Farm

Christopher Cadbury Reserve Michaelchurch Escley May 2012 

Once again our farming activities have been affected by the unusual weather in recent months.
Unfortunately potatoes planted in the earlier dry spell were then overtaken by persistent wet weather and low soil temperatures which meant a total crop failure in two fields. We are now impatiently waiting for the soil to dry out enough to replant those two fields.

Although the holiday cottages at Holt Farm are within easy walking distance of the Christopher Cadbury Reserve I have only recently become fully aware of the significance of this land which was purchased in1993 with generous assistance from Mr J C Cadbury, the Herefordshire Conservation Development Trust and the Four Winds Trust.

The reserve has a rich flora,and is typical of ancient unimproved grassland, 160 species have been recorded.
Currently the reserve is managed as a traditional hay meadow with an annual hay crop being taken about the fifteenth of July. This allows the many meadow plants to set seed. The land is then grazed by sheep and cattle until the end of November. Once over the locked gate, anyone can walk through the reserve. Details of the reserve can be found on the internet and see the information board in the photo below.

Cadbury Reserve information board

The apple trees we planted last year have been in blossom and are thriving. Last year we had to water them for several weeks but that has not been necessary this year. The lawns at Holt Farm have been growing quickly. We look forward to some sunshine which may be a possibility now the Hay Literary Festival is drawing to a close.