After my walk up beside the Tramway, I was intending to have a ramble along the moor at the top of Shipley Glen. The paths were, however, so muddy and slippery that I thought better of it, instead threading my way gingerly down the bridleway (also muddy!) to the Coach Road.
That path skirts its way along the side of Trench Meadows nature reserve, a rare lowland meadow habitat. It's owned by Bradford Council, who had it on their 'Disposals List' until it was included in the new Bradford Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve, which covers eight different sites in our region and protects a variety of priority habitats. Launched in 2023 to mark King Charles III's Coronation, the King's Series of National Nature Reserves (NNRs) is a 5-year initiative by Natural England to create 25 new, significant nature reserves. The project aims to boost biodiversity, connect habitats, and improve public access to nature.
I was struck by the difference in the reserve's appearance when the sun was shining (above) and when it clouded over (below). I quite liked the soft, silvery look and have processed the photo below to emphasise that.
Just at the edge of the reserve are some of the oldest buildings in the area: Trench House and Trench Barn. Both date to the mid 1600s, with some later additions, and are now listed buildings. They originally belonged to the Hudson family, yeoman clothiers - small holders practising a little subsistence farming but whose main income came from spinning wool and weaving cloth in their own homes.
Those reserves are so important! I am currently reading a book about the state of nature in the UK, and we all know that many species have already disappeared while others are in danger of disappearing over the next decade or so, mainly for loss of habitat. It is good to see that efforts are made to improve their chances.
ReplyDeleteTrench House and Trench Barn look very intriguing. They are private residences, aren't they, not open to the public?
I wonder why it’s all called ‘Trench’ - and gather it’s a natural feature, rather then a man-made one. So glad to see any natural site being preserved!
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