view of Folly farm

Features from Wildlife magazine Wildlife articles 2008 -- Spring 2008 -- ::Severn Barrage ::The Variety of life ::A year at Willsbridge ::Willsbridge comes of age ::Reaching out - Willsbridge ::Round the reserves Wildlife articles 2007 -- Autumn 2007 -- ::Thinking BIG ::Watery webs:the pond network ::Wildlife in the landscape ::Variety of life ::How to be a climate friend ::Seasonal stroll - Walborough ::Round the reserves -- Summer 2007 -- ::The Folly Farm appeal ::Weston Big Wood-biodiversity at its best ::The variety of life ::How to capture a butterfly ::How to get to know an orchid ::Seasonal stroll - WestonBigWood ::Reserves update -- Spring 2007 -- ::Folly Farm - a very special place ::Making a difference at Folly Farm ::How find the magic at Folly Farm ::Seasonal stroll at Folly Farm ::Magic spots at Folly Farm ::Batscapes ::Climate challenge ::Variety of Life - the Ponways project ::Round the reserves Wildlife articles 2006 -- Autumn 2006 -- ::The Severn Estuary ::Bird Watch results ::How to identify garden birds ::Making space for wildlife ::How does your garden grow? ::Round the reserves -- Summer 2006 -- ::Going for green ::Stand up and be counted ::Happy birthday NSLMP ::Holi day - a riot of spring colour ::Avon's species-rich grassland ::How to photograph dragonflies ::The Big Switch ::Round the reserves -- Spring 2006 -- ::How to identify winter water birds ::Make 2006 the year you... ::Invasive invasion ::Sowing the seeds: Willsbridge Mill ::Round the reserves Wildlife articles 2005 -- Autumn 2005 -- ::Indentify common funghi ::Build a hedgehog hideaway ::Big Bird Watch ::Champions for wildlife ::Round the reserves ::Seeds of the futre: Willsbridge Mill -- Summer 2005 -- ::Restoring Folly Farm ::How to become bee-friendly ::How to identify the butterflies of spring ::Save our seas ::The variety of life: hedgerows ::Round the reserves ::25 Ways to make a difference -- Spring 2005 -- ::The variety of life: water voles ::The Avon Biodiversity Action Plan ::How to take really good wildlife photos ::How to help your garden grow ::Round the reserves ::Seasonal strolls: Browns Folly ::Sowing the seeds: for wildlife for people ::Sowing the seeds: looking back

Features

Restoring Folly Farm

See also: Folly Farm Appeal - the Trust's most ambitious project

This year will at long last see a start on site for a project which could easily have been a candidate for Gryff Rhys Jones's 'Restoration' programme on BBC2, writes Ken Johnson, Folly Farm Project Manager.

Folly Farm has all the essential ingredients - firstly, there are the unquestionably romantic but sorely dilapidated historic buildings in need of saving. Secondly, there is a committed charity which is passionate about giving the buildings a new lease of life - and thirdly of course, there is the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) as the major funding body for such worthy restoration projects.

Cherished vision
HLF has recently celebrated its tenth anniversary year and for much of that period the Trust has been in discussion about its hopes and plans for Folly Farm. Securing HLF funding in competition with other projects was always going to require a massive commitment and workload from the Trust. However, in the summer of 2004 that effort finally paid off and we were awarded £2.56 million towards the costs of restoration. Other major funding has also now been secured from the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) and BIFFA, a landfill tax operator. Although we still need to raise some further 'matched funds' and are launching an Appeal to secure these, it still means that the long cherished vision of restoring the Folly Farm buildings is now set on course to become reality.

Retaining the magic
Folly Farm, part of the Sutton Court Estate, was purchased by the Trust in 1987 from Lord O'Hagan with the assistance of an anonymous benefactor. Over the years since then visitors never fail to comment on the magical qualities of the buildings and their tranquil setting. The farm was originally laid out in the early 18th Century as a visionary 'ferme ornee' or ornamental farm by the influential Sir Henry Strachey of Sutton Court. The ornamentation of nature also included a planned landscape with specimen trees, carriage drives and rustic water courses. The 250 acre farm was last farmed by the Stephens family in the early 1970's and is now a designated Local Nature Reserve, notable for its ancient woodlands and wildflower meadows, The Trust's ambition is to safeguard the future of the farm buildings and at the same time retain the essence and character of Folly Farm.

A 'sensitive touch' is the design watchword and although - perhaps rather surprisingly - the buildings aren't protected by any listing, the Trust has been determined to apply the best practice in architectural conservation in their restoration.

The future
The Trust has been long convinced that rather than allow the buildings to fall into total disrepair, it should strive to find new uses which promote environmental issues. Our day-time schools programme is already very successful and last year some 2,500 children visited Folly Farm to learn about the wildlife and the environment. The restoration project will build on this and Folly Farm will become a residential centre offering a wide range of courses for children and lifelong training and learning for adults. The facilities will include accommodation for 50 people in the farmhouse and converted cowsheds, a restaurant in the dairy, teaching and training rooms in the barn and milking parlour. The wagon house will be restored to create new workshops and the stable will become an interpretation centre. Over the years the Trust has amassed a good deal of interesting material about the farm - including reminiscences from former land girls based on the farm during the war - and this will all contribute to a fascinating display about the history of Folly Farm and its landscape.

Sustainable development
The courses on offer will be focused on biodiversity, sustainability and wildlife conservation. Of equal importance the Trust will be employing traditional and sustainable construction techniques in the restoration works. Traditional masonry skills will be particularly vital given the white lias stone construction of the buildings. Alternative renewable energy sources have been considered in great detail and a combination of bio-mass fuel, solar power and possibly wind power are being investigated. Grey water recycling can be achieved and the existing reed bed system will clean the foul water. Sustainability will of course be just as important in the day to day running decisions of the centre.

Wildlife and historic landscape
Whilst some of the buildings have seen comparatively little recent use by humans, wildlife activity has not been lacking and overleaf you can read about our plans to ensure its protection. Restoration of Lord Strachey's historic landscape is also integral to the project and members will gradually see the creation of new walks, seating areas, new specimen planting, view points, stream cascade restoration and much scrub clearance.

When will this all happen?
We're working to achieve a start on site in September this year. With13 separate main buildings alone to restore it will be a lengthy programme and it is anticipated that the centre will be ready for opening at Easter 2007.The seasonal landscaping works will continue beyond this.

Find out more
The plans will be on special display as part of the Trust's 25th anniversary celebrations at Folly Farm on 1st May so do come along and find out more. It may be a last opportunity to see the site in all its 'faded glory' before the long awaited restoration finally begins. We suspect that Sir Henry Strachey would have wholeheartedly approved and so too no doubt would Gryff Rhys Jones.

If you'd like to read more about the history of Folly Farm contact us on 0117 917 7270 for a copy of our brief guide or visit our website www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

The buildings at Folly Farm haven't been lived in by people for almost twenty years, but they've continued to be home to other inhabitants...

It was always known that bats were present and that the outbuildings were home to birds such as swallows and pied wagtails. But what else was there and how dependent were these species on the building complex?

Dawn patrol
In the past two years as plans for the restoration of the farm buildings gathered pace, intensive surveys have been carried out to determine their nature conservation value. Old data was collated and species were surveyed to determine population levels.The presence of the bats within the farmhouse and dairy was determined using 'dawn swarming', where the number of the bats was assessed as they returned to roost. Close scrutiny of any likely roost areas such as the loft spaces and wall cracks were carried out and it was discovered that pipistrelles, long-eared bats, serotines and a lesser horseshoe bat were all using the buildings. The surveys were able to determine their preferred roosting and feeding areas. A purpose-built hibernaculum (a structure for bats to use during winter hibernation) and breeding loft will be carefully incorporated into the design for these unobtrusive mammals.

Stone age
The lichen interest of the stonework is especially important as redundant buildings which have stood the test of time are often encrusted with these specialised plants. As well as their nature conservation value, they add appreciably to the visual appeal of the buildings and are excellent habitats for invertebrates. Unsympathetic re-development could damage this value but on the other hand, without any restorative works, walls may become overgrown or collapse which results in complete loss. Simple steps can be taken however, for instance where stonework is dismantled, exterior stone will be used with the original outer surface pointing out.

The bees...
Amphibians and reptiles were looked for, and observations by members of staff soon confirmed the presence of grass snakes and great crested newts around the pond areas of the gardens.

Both of these species, together with frogs and toads, will readily use areas of stockpiled stone or debris which means that extra care will have to be taken during any building work to keep an eye out for lurking visitors.

Pond management is now critical and the planned construction of new ponds will be an added bonus. Although invertebrates make little significant use of the buildings, the garden with its nectar bearing flowers and shrubby edges remains important for a wide range of bees, hoverflies and butterflies, and as such will be subject to careful management once the centre is up and running.

...and the birds
And finally the birds. The list of breeding birds within the buildings include great and blue tit, pied wagtail, jackdaw and swallow and we intend to plan around these very special local residents. Although it isn't practical to leave cracks in every building wall, nesting crevices will be left for wrens and tits to use. Overhangs will be considered and opportunities to enhance the population of swallows will be developed. A feeding station will be erected to encourage farmland birds.

In all, this is the perfect way to show how development and wildlife can be carried out side by side and the Trust will celebrate this as an example of a real partnership between man and wildlife.

For details of how you can help, see: Folly Farm Appeal - The Trust's most ambitious project