GEOCONSERVATION: PRACTICAL SITE-MANAGEMENT AT SUTTON KNOLL

GEOSUFFOLK RIGS

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GEOCONSERVATION: PRACTICAL SITE-MANAGEMENT AT SUTTON KNOLL B. HALL Barry Hall, a GeoSuffolk committee member, began by describing how he had latterly become involved with Geoconservation in Suffolk following an earlier association with the county via his work with the Meteorological Office and various postings to local RAF stations.

Using his knowledge from a subsequent career in horticulture he explained how the principles, tools and techniques commonly associated with gardening are equally applicable to the conservation of geological sites of special scientific interest, otherwise SSSI’s. However, the word ‘conservation’ had to be used carefully as it implied keeping something in a steady state of preservation which was clearly not feasible with regard to a constantly weathering exposure. The phrase ‘site-management’ was preferred as it described the best possible presentation and maintenance of an exposure.

Sutton Knoll, near Woodbridge, an island of Coralline Crag specific only to Suffolk and surrounded by younger Red Crag deposits, was first encountered on a field trip in May 2003. Towards the end of the day the group had stopped on a track around the SW side of the knoll, just outside of the SSSI itself, opposite the so-called ‘Chicken Pit’. Following a climb over a low fence and a scramble through elder, bramble and nettle the Coralline Crag was located hidden beneath dense vegetation and it transpired that many years before an unusual assemblage of well preserved shells had been found nearby.

It could be argued that this is how geology should be with the sudden unexpected discovery against all odds having a definite appeal. However, for known sites or for sites of choice, the benefits of a different approach would be advocated, different certainly from the twice annual flail that hitherto had masqueraded as management.

The alternative, simply stated, would be clearly visible exposures with easy access at all times that included suitable viewing areas able to accommodate small groups. The ‘at all times’ was the real challenge as the value of any hand or machine clearance would always be wasted if simply allowed to overgrow again. It was suggested that any gardeners present would appreciate just how quick that could be.

Initial work, somewhat experimental at that stage, commenced in October 2004 by marking out and clearing by hand a 10 x 4 metre section of that previously hidden Coralline Crag well in advance of proposed JCB excavation. The prime need was to find out what it took to keep it clear. Also, close by and unseen on that first visit, was an old excavation showing the contact between the Red Crag and the London Clay beneath. Although the sides and a metre wide parapet were cleared of nettle and bramble there had been a long wait for the seasonal pond to drain off before digging out the accumulated pond bottom and aquatic flora. A surprise had been the discovery of closely packed crag infilled borings of the piddock Zirfaea crispata in the London Clay, which were quite rare. A sample had been preserved in the Ipswich Museum. Thereafter, to connect both these fresh exposures, a 150 m path had been cut from the entrance gate through the nettle and bramble which had then gradually grassed over from frequent mowing.

Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 43 (2007)

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Suffolk Natural History, Vol. 43

Holding the sites in this condition against natural re-growth and the ceaseless activities of rabbits, moles, deer, sometimes cattle, sometimes flail tracks, had required invoking the old horticultural mantra of ‘little and often’ or in other words, don’t do much but do it frequently. This had manifested itself in regular fortnightly visits especially during the growing season. Lasting 1–2 hours on average, routine hand weeding, spraying, re-defining edges, raking back rabbit spoil, debris clearance, path mowing and repair, had kept the Chicken Pit in good order at all times. A huge natural advantage at Sutton was the sandy nature of the soil. Weeds released comparatively easily and paths and viewing areas never became muddy.

Subsequently, in February and September of 2006, research work funded

by English Nature, now Natural England, had exposed a total of four more sites, with one modified, which were situated at different points around the island. Some required new path access but all required the same by now well established procedures. To have maintained these sites working alone would now have taken some five hours or more at each visit so a debt of gratitude was expressed to all the other GeoSuffolk members who had contributed invaluable help.

What had been learnt from this experience, what problems were there?

What about the future?

Although this work would be impossible without the kind permission of the landowner, it was acknowledged that Geosuffolk had no real control over what went on at Sutton Knoll, so in this respect its relative remoteness and inaccessability were beneficial factors. However, there was a risk of exposing it to the unscrupulous by the very act of highlighting it. It was strongly felt therefore that an obviously managed site, with its benefits for every visitor, did confer a reciprocal responsibility on that visitor. Leave it as it was found would be a simple rule but, ideally, the maintaining body, GeoSuffolk, should be consulted prior to any intended site activities as their site knowledge and experience would suggest practices that were the most site friendly.

Although aware of the hurdles, it was thought sensible if at some point all of the knoll were to be recognised as an SSSI, or at the least the inclusion of the Chicken Pit. This would allow a more holistic approach to its total management under Natural England’s Enhancement scheme which is applicable to SSSI sites only. GeoSuffolk is also engaged in developing Stage 2 of a Suffolk Geodiversity Action Plan whereby future funding from prospective partnerships may be critical for management continuity should we ever run out of voluntary steam. Finally, GeoSuffolk are looking to extend this practical experience and expertise to other sites in the county and also, emphasising the uniqueness of Sutton Knoll, are currently producing a site guide and information board which should be in place later this year.

[Barry Hall, a member of GeoSuffolk since 2002, studied horticulture at Writtle College and with the Royal Horticultural Society and is an ongoing Earth Science student with the Open University].

Barry Hall Rose Cottage, Rectory Road, Weeley Heath, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO16 9BN

Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 43 (2007)