RATS Stints 13-15

RATS TEMPLE STINT 13

Date: 14thApril 2010

Observers: Terry Sheppard and Marion Vincent

Location: Field accessed from Brookfield Farm, Hallfields Lane

OS Ref: SK5865712382-SK5871412274

Map Title: Site 219 Long Field

Owners: Bill Wright, Tenant Farmer, Brookfield Farm, Hallfields Lane, Rothley

There is no hedgerow now. We are running to the top of the field but our boundary is an invisible line between Site 219 Long Field and Site 220 Brookfield. The field is now used by horses making the pasture damaged and no chance for meadowland to show.

The ground is rising to give extensive views over Rothley and I can even see my garden trees at the top of the Templar Way hill.

RATS TEMPLE STINT 14

Date: 14th April 2010

Observers: Terry Sheppard and Marion Vincent

Location: Field accessed from Brookfield Farm, Hallfields Lane

OS Ref: SK5871412274-SK5876612169

Map Title: Site 219 Long Field

Owners: Bill Wright, Tenant Farmer, Brookfield Farm, Hallfields Lane, Rothley

We continue up the rising field with no hedgerow. We are running along an invisible line between Site 219 Long Field and Site 220 Brookfield.

The field is used by horses which damage the pasture and not allowing meadowland to develop.

These fields were always used for cattle grazing until about three years ago but the milking herd was sold. Beef cattle are still on the farm but in special buildings.

At the end of this stint we are really well above the village on rising ground with good views all around including Bradgate Park and Old John

RATS TEMPLE STINT 15

Date: 14th April 2010 and 19th May 2010

Observers: Terry Sheppard and Marion Vincent

Location: Field accessed from Brookfield Farm, Hallfields Lane, Rothley

OS Ref: SK5876612169-SK5870312096

Map Title: Site 219 Long Field into Site 220 Brookfield

Owners: Bill Wright, Tenant Farmer, Brookfield Farm, Rothley.

We continue for 25 metres to the top of the field with no hedgerow to record but we then come to the hedgerow boundary with Site 160 South Hall Field with lots of bramble but also the remnants of a tree stump with a small growth of Lime from the bottom.. Site 160 has a small rectangular corner that was part of Thomas Babington's Carriageway and this is where we are. This creates a kink in the hedgerow that we work around in Stint 15b and where the hedgerow really starts again.

This is an interesting hedgerow as it has lots of elm which is kept clipped and therefore does not suffer dieback. It is in the remaining length of this stint with good pieces of hawthorn and rose and two hedgerow Ash Trees that are large enough not to be cut down along with the hedgerow clipping.

There is good layering of ancient hawthorn and a good ditch on the other side from where we are measuring.

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