Fleam Dyke Appeal

7th September 2023 siobhanhall Fleam Dyke, Wilbrahams Environment Group

Calling all nature-loving people of the Wilbrahams!

View up Fleam Dyke toward the A11 with Wadlow Wind Farm in the distance — Fleam Dyke toward the A11 with Wadlow Wind Farm in the distance WildlifeTrustBCN

The local Wildlife Trust is going to buy the length of Fleam Dyke which runs from one end by the Great Wilbraham to Fulbourn footpath, as far as the A11. Many of us enjoy walks along the top of this ancient man-made structure, so close to our villages. At present it is privately owned.

View along Fleam Dyke with tree on the right hand side — Image credit “WildlifeTrustBCN”

The Trust’s purchase will include 7.6 hectares of land below and on the Wilbraham side of the Dyke, to be used for grazing cattle sheep – and goats! – which can then graze the slopes of the Dyke and help to maintain this rare chalkland habitat for the benefit of chalk loving plants and birds, other wildlife – and us.

View along Fleam Dyke with Tree on the left and ripened corn fields on either side — Image credit “WildlifeTrustBCN”

In addition of £150K for the purchase, the Trust needs funds to manage the Dyke, restore the land, clear scrub, sow more wild flowers, etc etc! And, as now, it will all be open for us to enjoy!

Will you help by donating?

The Trust has more money than the low figure currently showing on its webpage but it needs lots of financial help, especially from us as neighbours and users of Fleam Dyke.

For lots more info look at this webpage https://www.wildlifebcn.org/fleamdyke.