Lincs centre benefits from farmers boost to wildlife

An Early Years Centre based on a Lincolnshire farm has prime viewing of a number of rare birds - curlews, lapwings, buzzards and sparrowhawks - encouraged to the farm with help from a Defra grant.

Tenant farmer Brian Spence and his wife Kathryn have used funding from the Countryside Stewardship Scheme to stop using sprays and fertilisers on set pieces of land and to revert an area of land from arable production back to grass next to the 160 acre woods at the back of the house. The results are an increase in rare and protected wildlife which the toddlers at Great Wood Farm Early Years Centre in Boothby Pagnell near Grantham are able to enjoy.

The neighbouring wood, owned by the Forestry Commission, allows free public access, and both wood and pasture have benefited from the scheme as wildlife thrives there. Since 2000, the Commission has been restoring the ancient woodland to broadleaf trees.

Brian Spence said:

"The young children who come to this nursery get the chance to see rare wildlife in its natural habitat and learn about the importance of conservation. We run a very interactive nursery where the children are taken for walks through the woods and fields. This sort of environment starts to generate an interest in the land and how important it is to conserve it. It also gives us the chance to teach children what farming is and what farmers do. In just two years in the Countryside Stewardship Scheme a wide variety of rare and protected birds have made Great Wood farm their home."

The Spence's set up the nursery last year along with Kathryn's sister Julie Saxty with the help of a 50% grant from Defra's Rural Enterprise Scheme. One year on and the nursery has increased in size, they now have the facilities for babies. The nursery has also created jobs. There are four full time members of staff working in the nursery and a catering manager

Kathryn Spence said:

"We realised there was a need for something like this in the area and we thought it would be a good way for us to diversify and get security for the future. The nursery is still expanding - this time last year we had three children attending and now we've got over 40 registered.

Janet Lambert, a Countryside Stewardship Adviser with Defra's Rural Development Service (RDS) in the East Midlands, said:

"This is a lovely site which provides great benefits for the children, the birds, the community and of course Brian and Kathryn. There are so many children who don't get the chance to see wildlife on a regular basis so it's a good way for them to start."

John Badley, Wash Warden for the RSPB in Lincolnshire, said:

"It is excellent that children are getting the chance to enjoy a countryside rich in wildlife as is being supported by the Countryside Stewardship Scheme at Great Wood Farm. As well as being important in their own right birds such as curlews which are present on the farm give people a real sense of satisfaction and well-being."