Conservation

A keen interest has always been taken to increase the wildlife on the farm, over the last 70 years no hedges have been removed in fact the field layout today is very similar to that on the 1847 Ordnance Survey map.

MARL PIT
This was a pit dug during the second world war by Italian Prisoner of war and non conformists, the idea was this Marl (Marl is another term of clay (Speeton Clay ) was dug up and spread on the  sand  land thus preventing it from blowing away in the wind. This left a large clay hole which holds water for most years.

The area has been planted with willows and by natural regeneration quickthorn ash and elder berry bushes are all mature, this is a little haven for all types of wildlife birds, small animals, insects and flowers. It is envisaged this will be improved during the winter of 1999 / 2000 by the pond are being enlarged.

PHIL'S FOLLY
An area of land that War Ministry of Food again in the second world war  was made to be ploughed out for the first time. It is a very steep hillside in the corner of a field not suitable for tractors to drive on in safety. When it was no longer compulsory to plough this area it was decided to plant it with trees 30 years ago. Conifers were planted mainly larch, however due to rabbit damage not many grew, today it is mainly an area of total natural chalk land natural regression. As with the marl pit mainly quickthorn and ash, with much other wildlife living in it.

COUNTRYSIDE STEWARDSHIP SCHEME

Arable margins
These are grass 6 m wide strips along certain edges of fields, grass species that are planted are Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata ), Creeping red fescue ( Festuca rubera ) and Timothy ( Pheum pratense ).Their purpose are to provide an area for animals to live and nest in especially in  spring and early summer. Small mammals come out from the hedgerows to eat and rummage about, birds such as owls at night, and Kestrels, Sparrow hawks during enjoy hunting along them looking for a meal !

As these strips become more established then wild flowers will naturally become established, these in turn provide food for different insects which in turn provide feed for insect eating birds.

The Carr fields also have a footpath running along the margin many people have enjoyed the peace and quite and observing wildlife whilst walking along them. It is hoped this will be extended for the margins along the East Heslerton Brow SSI this winter.

Open access
The field behind St Andrews Church has been opened for the public to enjoy for quite countryside enjoyment. This is where the old village was before it  moved to it present location marks of old buildings can clearly be seen. It is also thought this is where the old Manor of the De Heslerton lived in the middle ages more research is going on into this see  history for information on our village history. For those interested  St Andrew's Church  Key is also available. 

It is intended to have  a map of the farm to be available showing the above and other places of interest on it such as historical , conservation, or farming interest. Footpaths
The only long-term official footpaths on the farm are: 

 1) That runs along the council road from near St Andrews Church: grid ref map 101 / 925767 due South through the open access land behind the Church to Manor Wold Farm where it joins the wolds way at : grid ref map no 101/928754.

2) The  Priests Trod  that used to connect the two Churches of East and West Heslerton together. which also runs from the same start ref to West Heslerton Church.

Short term i.e. 10 year footpaths have been established on the carr Arable field margins it is also permitted to the Southern perimeter of the farm this year.

Hedge and Tree Management
A visit to the farm will see Hedge laying, with following management. Hedge planting as well as hedges managed for wildlife encouragement. They may look untidy but within them there are birds nesting and small animals living in the bottom. You will see not all sprayed out either this provided a place for insects to live in essential for higher animals in the food chain to live on.

Manor Farm's Different Habitats
Arable and hedgerows
Old pastures
Wetland and carr
Sand and heathland
Chalkland