Vinnimore Medieval Farmstead – International Rescue

Day 1

Managing a nature reserve can be a complex job, requiring a good understanding of many ecological disciplines, but here at East Dartmoor NNR, a good knowledge of historical land use and local heritage helps too. To develop these competencies, the Natural England Eco Skills Conservation Assistants are, from time to time, given a project to manage. This time it was the turn of Elizabeth “Beany” Townsend to get a taste for planning and organising preparations for the archaeological investigation later in the year.Down by the river in Hisley Wood stand the medieval remains of Vinnimore farmstead and Beany’s task was to start work on channelling water from the old track to another part of the wood. Later in the spring there will be many invertebrates and frogs that need this standing water for breeding and feeding so timing would be critical. Draining the water in January would allow it to settle in another area of the wood, leaving the wildlife undisturbed later in the spring when a team of community archaeologists will be at work.It’s quite hard to imagine that the wet woodland here today hasn’t been here all that long but that is certainly the case. Maps of the 1830s show ploughed fields and Reg Lander of the History Hunters had previously said that “the old survey map gave us an insight into what was thought to be the entrance to Vinnimore but is actually a track from the farm to a field entrance”. Conservation team - Beany, Robyn, Rebekah, Natalija and AlbertToday, a discussion between Albert Knott of Natural England and the Conservation Assistants on the whys and wherefores of cutting these trees was throwing some light on the situation. Felling trees along this old track will open up a small glade. So, in terms of the wildlife, it will improve the diversity by changing the woodland structure in this area. Albert explained that “We’ll get a greater understanding of the historical environment without taking away the wildlife features". Wet woodland can be a transitional habitat so, in another 100 years, it could be dominated by large trees which would change the character of woodland and potentially disturb the remains of the old farm. Now is a good time to record the derelict buildings and try to protect them.

The student volunteers were enjoying their new experience and, judging by a few of their comments, they’ll return to the woods in the future. Emily, who had been raking leaves and piling up brash all day, said “it’s my first time but I’ll definitely come back”. Though it was a chill January day, the volunteers managed to keep warm and took a sense of a job well done back to Exeter with a smile. They worked well and played their part in preserving these heritage features; students from around the world, studying subjects of every discipline, brought together by a love of being outdoors and playing their part in a conservation team.

by Matt Parkins