The Natural world – Richard Astle’s round up of nature happenings in Langdyke land covering the early parts of the summer period June-July 2026 The first two months of Summer 2026 will be remembered, I am sure, for the four heatwaves and unbroken dry spell, the hottest and longest in history. And while that translated … Read more
Actor Toby Jones and celebrity gardener Adam Frost are to become patrons of the Lngdyke-supported John Clare Countryside Trust. The announcement demonstrates growing national support for the project’s ambition to create a large and accessible heritage landscape west of Peterborough, a destination for visitors, home to thriving farming and wildlife and a place for quiet … Read more
Langdyke Countryside Trust is one of a number of organisations opposing draft plans for a major housing development bordering the Castor Hanglands National Nature Reserve. A letter to Peterborough City Council calls on the authority to remove the proposed plans for the housing development from the draft local plan. Langdyke chair Richard Astle says in … Read more
Langdyke chair Richard Astle featured on a recent BBC Radio 4 programme discussing John clare and his links with Swaddywell. He was interviewed by presenter Martha Kearney during a visit to the reserve which Clare referred to as Swordywell in his poetry. Using the poetry of ‘peasant poet’ Clare, Martha visited Helpston and Fen Edge … Read more
This is one of the great new views of Langdyke’s Vergette Meadow water area. Three new viewing platforms have been created along the Green Lane bridlepath side of the Etton reserve. This is what you can see looking through the main one. A ramp leads up to the largest one, making access easier, and screens … Read more
A discussion on climate change and its impact on the local area will be one of the highlights of Langdyke’s annual meeting. The AGM will be held on the evening of Thursday, July 18, starting at 7pm beginning with a barbecue and light refreshments. It is being held in the barn on the Etton High … Read more
Three new ponds have been created at Etton’s High Meadow site to enhance the nature of the area. They have been made possible by a generous anonymous donation. The donor wanted to ensure the money was spent on enhancing nature. The ponds -the largest is one metre deep – are all close to each other … Read more
Langdyke Countryside Trust has acquired a new nature reserve – the volunteer group’s ninth site. Christ’s College Nature Reserve has been bought for £45,000 by the Trust after a year-long fund-raising campaign. The reserve is made up of 8.9 hectares (22 acres) of restored gravel pits, surrounded by new planting of native trees and shrubs. … Read more
Langdyke members are being urged to respond to the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Local Nature Recovery Survey. Chair Richard Astle explained: “the Local Nature Recovery Strategy is something we should all know about and have a say in – it effectively will create a map of where and how we deliver nature recovery across Cambridgeshire, so … Read more
Langdyke volunteers called on the help of local owl box expert John Parsonage after they discovered a barn owl was using one of the sheep shelters at Etton. John has made a nesting box in the hope that the owl will use it during its regular visits to the shelter at Langdyke’s Etton High Meadow … Read more