News 2019
Key:
GA George Agnew; DAC Des Astley-Cooper; AG Allan Gould; CH Christopher Hawkins; KM Karen Murdoch; AW Adrian White
RET : JANUARY 2019
RET Trustee Meeting
Present: GA, DAC, AG, CH, KM, AW
ENVIRONMENT : JANUARY 2019
Bat Survey from Suffolk Wildlife Trust
A bat survey carried out by Suffolk Bat Group volunteers in July 2018 to the south of Rougham Estate found the mix of grassland, ponds and woodland to provide good feeding, commuting and roosting habitat for at least eight of the county’s 13 bats including the Barbastelle and Leislers bats. Rougham Estate Trust is committed to improving roosting and insect-rich foraging habitat for Suffolk’s bats.
ENVIRONMENT : JANUARY 2019
Butterfly Survey from Suffolk Wildlife Trust
A total of 26 butterfly species were recorded by two Butterfly Conservation volunteers carrying out transect surveys in woodland to the south of Rougham Estate. This total of 26 represents 75+% of Suffolk’s 34 butterfly species that have regularly occurred in Suffolk during the last five years ie 2013-2017. This really good number includes four of Suffolk’s target priority species, notably Small Heath, and species with host-specific larval foodplants: White Admiral, White-Letter Hairstreak and Silver-Washed Fritillary.
ENVIRONMENT : JANUARY 2019
Woodland Survey from Suffolk Wildlife Trust
Suffolk Wildlife Trust volunteers have carried out a botanical survey of ancient, secondary and planted woodland to the south of Rougham Estate.Analysis of the sampling survey demonstrates the wide range of woodland flora present, and the value of different broadleaved woodland management possible within large woodlands.High forest, coppice with standards and non-intervention woodland management result in structural and floral diversity.
Also noted in the survey were features such as the presence of mature and veteran trees with dead wood, sap runs, loose bark and holes, all so important for bats and invertebrates; and the presence of climbers such as honeysuckle and ivy which are so important for butterflies, moths and other insects.
Sympathetic woodland management work is underway to make woodland rides more sunny and to restore coniferised ancient woodland sites to broadleaved trees which will further improve these lovely woods for ancient woodland flora.
HISTORY : APRIL 2019
Restoration of Clock Tower and Gatehouse at Rougham Hall
The trust has recently embarked on its most ambitious project to date. This is the restoration of the Clock Tower and Gatehouse in the Stableyard at Rougham Hall. This building started by Rougham Estate owners Philip and Anne Bennett in 1824 had reached the point of collapse. The trust has stepped in to save this iconic structure and to give it a new lease of life.
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Seamans Builders are undertaking the work on behalf of the trust.
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Photographs show the tower as the work began, then surrounded in scaffolding and then with the roof removed. The clock mechanism has also been revealed for the first time since the 1940’s. The hall itself was seriously damaged on 23 September 1940 when it received a direct hit from a German bomb.
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Work will continue on the project for many months.
Present: GA
HISTORY : MAY 2019
Clock Tower bells revealed for first time since 1940
As part of the restoration project on the Clock Tower at Rougham Hall, the two huge bells are lowered to the ground whilst repairs are made to the tower. When work is completed the crane will lift them back up to their rightful place in the tower.
Present: GA
ENVIRONMENT : MAY 2019
Road safety work on Mount Road
Local tree surgeons use a platform to reach trees along the woodland edge that are in danger of falling into the road. The Mount Road had to be closed for a week to achieve this work, the Rougham Estate Trust would like to thank the local communities of Rougham and Thurston for their understanding and patience whilst this vital work was undertaken.
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Present: GA
ENVIRONMENT : MAY 2019
Rougham Lake Tree Surgery
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The poplar trees planted round Rougham Lake 50 years ago are now becoming dangerous and so have to be felled. This intrepid tree surgeon Josh is perched 25 metres above the ground whilst he strips off branches to make the tree safe to fell. There are 17 trees round the lake that Josh has to tackle.
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Present: GA