Photo Memories

A trip down memory lane …

 

Here are some great photos taken in the early days of Langdyke.  They are part of a collection owned by one of the four founders of the Trust – current president Richard Keymer.

Swaddywell Pit Nature Reserve

Transformed from a race track to a nature reserve

Hundreds of vehicles on the Swaddywell site for one of the race meetings before it was acquired by Langdyke
How the Evening Telegraph reported the illegal use of Swaddywell as a race track
The first visit by the Trust founders to Swaddywell in 1998
Swaddywell 2001
Another view of Swaddywell in 2001
A landscape shot of Swaddywell in 2003
Piles of rubbish had to be cleared from Swaddywell. Much of this is used shotgun cartridge cases used from clay pigeon shooting
The piles of discarded tyres left behind at Swaddywell from when it was used as a race track
It’s a family affair as the clean up of tyres from Swaddywell gets underway.

 

Langdyke founders Mick Beeson and Chris Topper planting a hedge at Swaddywell in 2004
Richard Astle among others planting a hedgerow at Swaddywell. It was tough digging because of all the rubble
A work party clearing undergrowth at Swaddywell in 2004

 

Dredging work in 2005 to remove reed growth and other debris from the ponds – home for great crested news

 

The first flock of sheep arrive at Langdyke”s Swaddywell Pit in 2005
Launch of the geology trail at Swaddywell with Alan Dawn
Another photo from the launch of the geology trail at Swaddywell in June 2010

Torpel Manor

Protecting a listed ancient monument

Torpel Manor Field before Langdyke purchased it in 2001. It was being used as a horse paddock and came complete with a stable block
A visit to  celebrate the purchase of Torpel Manor field in 2001
One of the first work parties at Torpel after it was acquired
The original stable block at Torpel
Some celebration drinks during one of the first work parties at Torpel
A John Clare Festival event at Torpel in August 2010

Bainton Heath

Protecting a unique site 

An early visit to Bainton Heath
The bridge at Bainton Heath

Etton Maxey Pit Nature Reserve

Transforming a quarry into a haven for nature

Etton Maxey reserve in 2005 before the arrival of the pump house

 

At work

Giving nature a helping hand

Hedge planting along the Glinton to Helpston road near the Etton junction in 2008.
The late Eric West in the driving seat of Langdyke’s first tractor. Reports have it that in later years it ‘blew up’ while David Cowcill was at the wheel. It was used for various tasks including cutting paths across reserve land

 

Sheep shearing at Torpel
Another shot of sheep shearing at Torpel