Farm's prehistoric burial sites to get extra protection

Not being an avid archaeologist myself, I had a few questions about the significance of our commitment under the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement to protect a group of prehistoric burial mounds on the farm, compared with our other environmental commitments such as conserving local wildlife and enhancing the landscape.

After a bit of delving, I soon found some answers. The long and short of it is that over half of important archaeological locations such as Neolithic burial mounds, buried Roman towns and Anglo-Saxon cemeteries around the UK are in danger of being destroyed and modern farming has a significant role to play. According to English Heritage, modern tillage techniques have done as much damage in the last 6 decades to historic sites as traditional tilling did in 6 centuries.

Archaeologists need to make sure they effectively communicate to farmers through schemes like HLS, the value and interest of preserving ancient sites and monuments which are the only evidence we have for the majority of human history. (Photo shows an example of an ancient burial site (long barrow) on a farm in Gloucestershire.) 

For any intrepid guests who are staying at the B&B and are interested in seeing best examples of the burial mounds on the farm, Sarah will happily point you in the right direction.

Farm provides habitat for threatened bird species

Over the summer, keen-eyed twitchers have been monitoring Launceston Farm for breeding populations of six farmland bird species which have suffered the most severe decline in numbers in recent years: Grey partridge, Lapwing, Turtle dove, Yellow wagtail, Tree sparrow and Corn bunting. Most of which have been spied on the farm.

Launceston Farm is in a high area of importance for conservation and we are stepping up our environmental stewardship commitments to manage the farm in ways which benefit these threatened bird species.  Measures include leaving the stubble over the winter once the crops have been harvested rather than spraying it or ploughing it up to provide food and habitat for ground nesting birds, using wild flower seed mixes on grass margins to encourage insects and hedge cutting every two years rather than every year which will provide additional food and shelter.

For more information on the South West Farmland Bird Initiative check out the Natural England website.