Ketford Bank

Last updated

Ketford Bank
Wild daffodils beside the river Leadon - geograph.org.uk - 368845.jpg
A typical bank of wild daffodils in the Leadon Valley
Gloucestershire UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Ketford Bank shown within Gloucestershire
TypeGloucestershire Wildlife Trust nature reserve
LocationIn the Forest of Dean district, near Pauntley, Redmarley and Dymock
Coordinates 51°58′31.52″N2°24′14.2″W / 51.9754222°N 2.403944°W / 51.9754222; -2.403944 Coordinates: 51°58′31.52″N2°24′14.2″W / 51.9754222°N 2.403944°W / 51.9754222; -2.403944
Area1.7 acres (0.69 ha)
Created2010
Operated byGloucestershire Wildlife Trust
StatusOpen all year

Ketford Bank (grid reference SO723308 ) is a 0.69-hectare (1.7-acre) nature reserve in Gloucestershire. [1]

Contents

The site is owned and managed by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. It was purchased by the Trust in February 2010. It had been in private ownership. [1] [2]

Location

The site is located in the River Leadon Valley and may be reached using a public bridleway between Redmarley and Dymock. [1] Ketford is one of three hamlets in the Parish of Pauntley. [3] It is in the Forest of Dean district.

Significant species

Ketford Bank supports an abundant population of Wild Daffodils. This area of Gloucestershire has traditionally supported this particular plant, which grows in the woods and pastures. [4] Natural England image library contains photographs taken in 1991 of Ketford Bank which show the abundance of Wild Daffodils. [5]

A site survey of the flora is reported to have been carried out in the early 1990s which indicated a variety of species present. Whilst there was encroachment of Bracken and scrub on the site over the last decade, the site has been recovered and is managed by grazing. [1] [4]

Wild Daffodil Trail

The Wild Daffodil Trail is a selection of walks which incorporate a number of sites which have spectacular displays of Wild Daffodils. The walks incorporate a series of nature reserves including Ketford Bank. These are Betty Daw's Wood (which is part of Dymock Woods SSSI ), Gwen and Vera's Fields and Vell Mill Daffodil Meadow. [2]

One walk is the Dymock to Ketford walk which includes Vell Mill Meadow, Callow Farm conservation walk area and Ketford Bank (about 8 miles). Another walk includes Betty Daw's Wood and Gwen and Vera's fields, the latter being near Newent (about 2 miles). [2]

Threat to species

The threats to the Wild Daffodil are numerous and include fragmentation of sites and the neglect of their required habitat. There is also the issue of the invasion of non native species. [2]

The bridleway from Ketford to Dymock is one of the Poets' Paths. These commemorate the Dymock Poets who lived in the area in the early 20th century. The area is claimed to be a source of their inspiration. [4]

Publications

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dymock</span> Human settlement in England

Dymock is a village and civil parish in the Forest of Dean district of Gloucestershire, England, about four miles south of Ledbury. In 2014 the parish had an estimated population of 1,205.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust</span> Organization

The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is the Gloucestershire local partner in a conservation network of 46 Wildlife Trusts. The Wildlife Trusts are local charities with the specific aim of protecting the United Kingdom's natural heritage. The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is managed by a Board of Trustees elected from its membership who provide overall direction for the development of the trust and there are advisory committees. The work of the trust is carried out through staff and volunteers.

<i>Narcissus pseudonarcissus</i> Species of plant

Narcissus pseudonarcissus is a perennial flowering plant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lower Woods</span>

Lower Woods is a 280.1-hectare (692-acre) biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest near the village of Wickwar, South Gloucestershire, notified in 1966 and renotified in 1985. The site area has increased at last revision in 1974 to a 284.1-hectare (702-acre) site. The site is a nature reserve managed by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midger</span>

Midger is a 65.7-hectare (162-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest straddling the border of Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire, notified in 1966 and renotified in 1984. Since the last revision in 1974, the size has been reduced to a 56-hectare (140-acre) site. It lies east of Hillesley, Gloucestershire and north of Hawkesbury Upton, South Gloucestershire. It is at the head of the Kilcott Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strawberry Banks</span> Biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England

Strawberry Banks is a 5.06-hectare (12.5-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daneway Banks SSSI</span> Biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England

Daneway Banks is a 17-hectare (42-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1954 and renotified in 1983. It lies half a mile west of Sapperton and is part of a group of wildlife sites in the Frome Valley that includes Siccaridge Wood and Sapperton Canal reserves. The site is in the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dymock Woods SSSI</span> Biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England

Dymock Woods is a 53-hectare (130-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1990. The site is listed in the 'Forest of Dean Local Plan Review' as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hobbs Quarry SSSI, Longhope</span> Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire

Hobbs Quarry, Longhope is a 1-hectare (2.5-acre) geological and biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England, notified in 1966. It is situated midway between Longhope and Dursley Cross in the Forest of Dean. Adjacent woods are Kiln Wood and Coleman's Wood. The site is managed by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collinpark Wood SSSI</span> Biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England

Collinpark Wood is a 66.69-hectare (164.8-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1966, revised in 1974 and renotified in 1983. There was a boundary change in 1983. There are seven units of assessment. Unit 1 is a 15-hectare (37-acre) area owned and managed by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. The trust purchased this part of the wood in 1979 with grant aid from WWF. The site is listed in the 'Forest of Dean Local Plan Review' as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bull Cross, The Frith and Juniper Hill</span> Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England

Bull Cross, The Frith and Juniper Hill is a 42.33-hectare (104.6-acre) biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1954. The site is listed in the ‘Stroud District’ Local Plan, adopted November 2005, Appendix 6 as an SSSI and Regionally Important Geological Site (RIGS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kempley Daffodil Meadow</span>

Kempley Daffodil Meadow is a 1.2-hectare (3.0-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vell Mill Daffodil Meadow</span> Nature reserve in Gloucestershire, England

Vell Mill Daffodil Meadow is a 2.1-hectare (5.2-acre) nature reserve in Gloucestershire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gwen and Vera's Fields</span> Nature reserve in Gloucestershire, England

Gwen and Vera's Fields is a 0.28-hectare (0.69-acre) nature reserve in Gloucestershire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snows Farm Nature Reserve</span> Nature reserve in Gloucestershire, England

Snows Farm Nature Reserve is a 21.3-hectare (53-acre) nature reserve in Gloucestershire. The site is listed in the ‘Stroud District’ Local Plan, adopted November 2005, Appendix 6 as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Three Groves Wood</span> Nature reserve in Gloucestershire, England

Three Groves Wood is a 3.3-hectare (8.2-acre) nature reserve in Gloucestershire. The site is listed in the ‘Stroud District’ Local Plan, adopted November 2005, Appendix 6 as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siccaridge Wood</span>

Siccaridge Wood is a 26.6-hectare (66-acre) nature reserve in Gloucestershire. The site is listed in the ‘Stroud District’ Local Plan, adopted November 2005, Appendix 6 as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sapperton Valley</span>

Sapperton Valley is a 3.7-hectare (9.1-acre) nature reserve near Chalford in the Stroud district of Gloucestershire, England. The site is managed by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust under leasing arrangements with the Bathurst Estate, in place since 1964.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Park, University of Gloucestershire</span> Park in United Kingdom

The Park, University of Gloucestershire is a 9.5-hectare (23-acre) community green space in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust - Ketford Bank information
  2. 1 2 3 4 'The Daffodil Trails', (undated), Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
  3. Pauntley Parish general information
  4. 1 2 3 Pauntley Parish community information on Ketford Bank
  5. Natural England Image Library - accessed in October 2012 (four images)