The Langdyke Countryside Trust promotes nature conservation around Peterborough.

To preserve sites of outstanding naatural beauty for the public, as well as protecting flora and fauna in and around Peterborough. To organise educational events about the natural area, and the works of local poet John Clare.

Why the community needs this charity

The Trust manages land for the benefit of the local community and local wildlife. Our reserves are open to the public and provide a wonderful place to walk and to enjoy nature. We run a programme of walks, talks and work parties throughout the year - 65 people joined our New Year's Day walk in 2012. We also hold an annual event as part of the John Clare Festival at Torpel Manor Field, with music and art and talks by historians and wildlife experts. Over 130 people attended in 2011.

Results and outcomes

We now have 180 acres of land under active management for the benefit of wildlife, heritage and the local community. Our reserves support regionally important populations of nightingale and other birds, as well as many nationally scarce insects and flowers. We have 90 household memberships that support our work. In 2012 we will hold 24 separate events for local people.

Latest activities and projects

Etton Maxey Pits - New Nature Trail

The aim of this project is to create a new nature trail around the northern pat of our reserve at Etton Maxey Pits and a new paddock for cattle and sheep that will enable a year long rotation of conservation grazing. The new nature trail will run from the north hide along a dyke rich in dragonflies and other inverterbrates, through the wooded area and back along the grassy meadows. We need to pay for fencing, gates and signage. read more