Clan Trust makes annual donation to local biological site

The Clan Trust has donated funds to Bryant's Heath, a registered common that comprises 17 hectares of dry and wet heathland owned by Felmingham Parish Council.

Located west of North Walsham in Norfolk, the Heath is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by Natural England due to its rich and varied plant communities uncommon in East Anglia.

Vice-chairman of Bryant’s Heath, Neil Thrush, manages the area alongside Felmingham Parish Council, and is delighted to receive this recent annual donation from the Clan Trust to support the conservation work undertaken.

“This donation from the Clan Trust enables us to pay for services and cover expenses like the mechanised flailing of gorse, the purchase and maintenance of tools and equipment as well as consumables for the brushcutter and chainsaws,” says Neil.

“It is unique to have dry and wet health land together, especially on uneven mounded glacial sand. It is important the area is maintained so trees, plants and wildlife have room to thrive,” he adds.

The Heath is most famous for rare species of plants and brambles and in particular a plant called the round leaf Sundew, which functions like a Venus Fly Trap. If left unchecked, bracken and brambles can form dense colonies that prevent the growth of other plants.

The Clan Trust has supported work at Bryant’s Heath since 2022, after their application for funding from Natural England to support flailing was unsuccessful. The Clan Trust’s donation enabled the flailing to go ahead, and the Heath’s management plan is in agreement with Natural England who guide on which areas to focus on.

“We have been able to purchase two short-bladed scythes to cut back the denser areas of heathland, as well as pay for the transport and insurance of our volunteers,” Neil explains.

Volunteers come from all walks of life to help at the Heath, including North East Norfolk Conservation Volunteers who have recently helped prune some large trees and cut back areas of dense European gorse which can grow up to 15 feet tall.

“Poor soil state is essential in encouraging the rare plant species we have at the Heath to thrive. The vegetation that has been cut down is raked up by volunteers and burnt rather than made into compost, or is offered to parishioners if they’d like it,” explains Neil.

Neil has also used the donation from the Clan Trust to trial a tree popper - a tool used to remove invasive or unwanted plants and saplings by pulling them out of the ground complete with roots.

The Heath was given to Felmingham Parish in 1807 as a Poors allotments, for use by the parishioners to graze livestock, take firewood, and remove sand and shingle for home use.

In the First and Second World Wars, much of the Heath was taken over formally by the army for military purposes. In WW2, two military aircraft collided over the heath resulting in one military aircraft crashing into the site, leaving behind debris which volunteers are still extracting to this day - the aircraft parts are preserved at the Museum of Norwich.

Today, parishioners still use the Heath alongside local groups, BMX enthusiasts and the public who look to lose themselves in nature – an invaluable experience during the Covid-19 lockdown days, when exercise was at a premium.

Norfolk Orienteering Group are regular visitors to the Heath, as well as local Scouts and other groups.

“Much is considered before trees and foliage is removed. We primarily work in the late autumn and through the winter to ensure as little disturbance to wildlife as possible,” explains Neil.

“During the summer we focus on bracken management keeping footpaths open, being mindful of the presence of adders across the heathland.”

“Some trees naturally fall - we leave these as they make an ideal habitat for fungi and beetles to thrive. The Heath regularly has visits from fungi and wildlife specialists who, in the past, have recorded 75 different fungi,” he adds.

If you would like to support Bryant’s Heath and the conservation work taking place, please contact Neil Thrush via email: jasminecot@aol.com.