Upcoming Events

Member-only Walk at Beggar Boys Wetland Sunday 11th August at 2pm. A guided walk led by Governor Matthew Darby to see this wonderful wetland that has no public access. This event is by prior booking only and meeting point details will be sent to attendees after booking confirmed.

Member-only Fungus Foray at May Wood Sunday 22nd September at 10.30am. A fungus foray led by KCT Support Coordinator Kate Aubury. This event is by prior booking only and meeting point details will be sent to attendees after booking confirmed.

Kemerton Apple Day Saturday 112th October from 2-5pm at Victoria Hall, Kemerton. Entry is free. There will be apple pressing for a small charge (bring your own apples or buy juice from Daffurn's Orchard apples), delicious refreshments, information stand, stalls selling orchard related produce and crafts, kids' art activities and more.

Parking is available on the roadside by the village hall and down past the memorial cross, please park considerately or walk/take the bus if you can.

Member-only Autumn Walk to Aldwick Wood & The Bushes SSSI Sunday 24th November at 10.30am.. A guided walk by Support Coordinator Kate Aubury through part of Bredon Hill's SAC to enjoy autumn colour in the woodland. This event is by prior booking only and meeting point details will be sent to attendees after booking confirmed.

• Saturday 3rd August - Working party (10am start, Lillans Orchard)
• Saturday 7th September - Working party (10am start, Daffurn's Orchard)
• Saturday 5th October - Working party (10am start, Beggar Boys Wetland)
• Saturday 16th November - Working party (10am start, location to be confirmed)
• Saturday 7th December - Working party (10am start, location to be confirmed)

This section is updated regularly and shows the Trust's latest news, as well as the latest edition of the Trust's bi-annual newsletter 'Kemerton Clippings' (to view pdf attachments you will need a pdf reader);

Kemerton Clippings - added 1st August 2024

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter.

Daffurn's Orchard Bioblitz Project Report - added 11th July 2024

A bioblitz event held at Daffurn's Orchard, which was completed in May. Please click on the link to read the full report.

Welcoming Visitors & Supporting Volunteers at Daffurn’s Community Orchard Project Report - added 7th June 2024

A project to improve visitor experience and support our volunteers at Daffurn's Orchard, which was completed in April 2024. Please click on the link to read the full project report.

Kemerton Clippings - added 1st February 2024

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter.

44th Governors Meeting - 21st August 2023- added 27th January 2023

The 44th Meeting of Governors took place on 21st August 2023. This annual meeting involves Governors, staff & key volunteers. It is a chance for staff and key volunteers to update the Governors on the previous year's work, discuss any issues or plans for the coming year and set the budget for the next financial year. In addition, the Governors check and approve the annual accounts and the Chairman gives his annual report on activity relating to the trust's previous financial year.

Please click on the link to view the Chairman's Report & Annual Accounts 2022/23
Please click on the link to view the Conservation Advisor's Report 2022/23
Please click on the link to view the Support Coordinator's Report 2022/23

Kemerton Clippings - added 27th July 2023

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter.

Acquisition of 16 acres of rare flood meadow in Upham Meadow SSSI Project Report - added 27th July 2023

A project to purchase additional land at Upham Meadow SSSI, which was completed in June 2023. Please click on the link to read the full project report.

Kemerton Bird Ringing Report 2022 - added 27th July 2023

A report by West Midlands Bird Group on their first year of ringing at Kemerton Lake Nature Reserve. Please click on the link to read the full project report.

Kemerton Lake Nature Reserve Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Creation Project Report - added 19th May 2023

A project to restore aquatic habitat and create new fish refuges and tern rafts, which was completed in April 2023. Please click on the link to read the full project report.

Kemerton Clippings - added 29th January 2023

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter.

43rd Governors Meeting - 4th July 2022 - added 29th January 2023

The 43rd Meeting of Governors took place on 4th July 2022. This annual meeting involves Governors, staff & key volunteers. It is a chance for staff and key volunteers to update the Governors on the previous year's work, discuss any issues or plans for the coming year and set the budget for the next financial year. In addition, the Governors check and approve the annual accounts and the Chairman gives his annual report on activity relating to the trust's previous financial year.

Please click on the link to vew the Chairman's Report & Annual Accounts 2021/22
Please click on the link to view the Conservation Advisor's Report 2021/22
Please click on the link to view the Support Coordinator's Report 2021/21

Fish & Aquatic Plant Survey Project Report - added 4th November 2022

A project to survey the fish population and aquatic plant assemblage at Kemerton Lake Nature Reserve, which was completed in September 2022. Please click on the link to read the full project report.

John Moore Nature Reserve Woodland Restoration Project Report - added 24th August 2022

A project to restore this small woodland in Kemerton and create new habitat, which was completed in August 2022. Please click on the link to read the full project report.

Kemerton Clippings - added 4th August 2022

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter.

John Clarke Memorial Walk Project Report - added 4th August 2022

A project to create a lasting memorial to John Clarke which was completed in July 2022. Please click on the link to read the full project report.

Kemerton Clippings - added 28th January 2022

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter.

42nd Governors Meeting - 19th July 2021 - added 28th January 2022

The 42nd Meeting of Governors took place on 19th July 2021. This annual meeting involves Governors, staff & key volunteers. It is a chance for staff and key volunteers to update the Governors on the previous year's work, discuss any issues or plans for the coming year and set the budget for the next financial year. In addition, the Governors check and approve the annual accounts and the Chairman gives his annual report on activity relating to the trust's previous financial year.

Please click on the link to vew the Chairman's Report & Annual Accounts 2020/21
Please click on the link to view the Conservation Advisor's Report 2020/21
Please click on the link to view the Support Coordinator's Report 2020/21

Kemerton Clippings - added 27th July 2021

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter.

Postcode Local Trust Sapling Control at Kemerton Lake Through Pesticide Free Methods Project Report - added 1st April 2021

A small project which purchased 5 tree poppers for use at Kemerton Lake was completed in March 2021. Please click on the link to read the full project report.

Sapling Control at Kemerton Lake Through Pesticide Free Methods Project Report - added 1st April 2021

A small project which purchased a tree popper for use at Kemerton Lake was completed in January 2021. Please click on the link to read the full project report.

Kemerton Clippings - added 29th January 2021

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter.

New Boat and Storage Project Report - added 29th January 2021

A small project which purchased a new boat and secure storage for use at Kemerton Lake was completed in December 2020. Please click on the link to read the full project report.

Kemerton Lake Nature Reserve Grassland and Reedbeds Restoration Project Report - added 29th January 2021

A two year project aimed at restoring areas of limestone grassland and reedbeds at Kemerton Lake was completed in December 2020. Please click on the link to read the full project report.

41st Governors Meeting - 7th July 2020 - added 29th January 2021

The 41st Meeting of Governors took place on 7th July 2020 via Zoom. This annual meeting involves Governors, staff & key volunteers. It is a chance for staff and key volunteers to update the Governors on the previous year's work, discuss any issues or plans for the coming year and set the budget for the next financial year. In addition, the Governors check and approve the annual accounts and the Chairman gives his annual report on activity relating to the trust's previous financial year.

Please click on the link to vew the Chairman's Report & Annual Accounts 2019/20
Please click on the link to view the Conservation Advisor's Report 2019/20
Please click on the link to view the Support Coordinator's Report 2019/20

Kemerton Clippings - added 27th September 2020

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter.

Kemerton Clippings - added 5th February 2020

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter.

Kemerton Wood Project 2019 - added 5th February 2020

A small project aimed at increasing floral diversity in Kemerton Woods was completed in November 2019. Please click on the link to read the full project report.

40th Governors Meeting - 21st October 2019 - added 5th February 2020

The 40th Meeting of Governors took place on 21st October 2019. This annual meeting involves Governors, staff & key volunteers. It is a chance for staff and key volunteers to update the Governors on the previous year's work, discuss any issues or plans for the coming year and set the budget for the next financial year. In addition, the Governors check and approve the annual accounts and the Chairman gives his annual report on activity relating to the trust's previous financial year.

Please click on the link to vew the Chairman's Report & Annual Accounts 2018/19
Please click on the link to view the Conservation Advisor's Report 2018/19
Please click on the link to view the Support Coordinator's Report 2018/19

Kemerton Clippings - added 9th August 2019

Big Farmland Bird Count 2019 Report - added 9th August 2019

Please click on the link to read the full project report.

Kemerton Clippings - added 31st May 2019

39th Governors Meeting - 15th October 2018 - added 31st January 2019

The 39th Meeting of Governors took place on 15th October 2018. This annual meeting involves Governors, staff & key volunteers. It is a chance for staff and key volunteers to update the Governors on the previous year's work, discuss any issues or plans for the coming year and set the budget for the next financial year. In addition, the Governors check and approve the annual accounts and the Chairman gives his annual report on activity relating to the trust's previous financial year.

Please click on the link to vew the Chairman's Report & Annual Accounts 2017/18
Please click on the link to view the Conservation Advisor's Report 2017/18
Please click on the link to view the Support Coordinator's Report 2017/18

Kemerton Clippings - added 25th July 2018

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter.

Kemerton Woods Wildflower Project completes - added 25th July 2018

A small project aimed at increasing floral diversity in Kemerton Woods was completed in January 2018. Please click on the link to read the full project report.

Kemerton Clippings - added 28th January 2018

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter.

38th Governors Meeting - 16th October 2017 - added 28th January 2018

The 38th Meeting of Governors took place on 16th October 2017. This annual meeting involves Governors, staff & key volunteers. It is a chance for staff and key volunteers to update the Governors on the previous year's work, discuss any issues or plans for the coming year and set the budget for the next financial year. In addition, the Governors check and approve the annual accounts and the Chairman gives his annual report on activity relating to the trust's previous financial year. Due to serious illness, our Conservation Advisor John Clarke could not write his usual annual report this year.

Please click on the link to vew the Chairman's Report & Annual Accounts 2016/17
Please click on the link to view the Support Coordinator's Report 2016/17

Kemerton Clippings - added 30th July 2017

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter.

Kemerton Clippings - added 31st January 2017

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter.

37th Governors Meeting - 17th October 2016 - added 31st January 2017

The 37th Meeting of Governors took place on 17th October 2016. This annual meeting involves Governors, staff & key volunteers. It is a chance for staff and key volunteers to update the Governors on the previous year's work, discuss any issues or plans for the coming year and set the budget for the next financial year. In addition, the Governors check and approve the annual accounts and the Chairman gives his annual report on activity relating to the trust's previous financial year.

Please click on the link to vew the Chairman's Report & Annual Accounts 2015/16
Please click on the link to view the Conservation Advisor's Report 2015/16
Please click on the link to view the Support Coordinator's Report 2015/16

Kemerton Clippings - added 14th August 2016

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter

New Water's Edge Hide opens at KLNR - added 14th August 2016

Our brand new bird hide has opened at Kemerton Lake Nature Reserve. This wonderful amenity is open to the public all year round and can be accessed directly off the public footpath by the lake edge. Please click on the link to view the full project report.

The Breddy Croft Restoration Project completes - added 14th August 2016

A project to enhance and future-proof this small remnant orchard for the rare Mistletoe Marble Moth found there was completed on 31st March 2016. Please click on the link to view the full project report.

Kemerton Clippings - added 31st January 2016

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter

36th Governors Meeting - 12th October 2015 - added 31st January 2016

The 36th Meeting of Governors took place on 12th October 2015. This annual meeting involves Governors, staff & key volunteers. It is a chance for staff and key volunteers to update the Governors on the previous year's work, discuss any issues or plans for the coming year and set the budget for the next financial year. In addition, the Governors check and approve the annual accounts and the Chairman gives his annual report on activity relating to the trust's previous financial year.

Please click on the link to vew the Chairman's Report & Annual Accounts 2014/15
Please click on the link to view the Conservation Advisor's Report 2014/15
Please click on the link to view the Support Coordinator's Report 2014/15

Kemerton Clippings - added 19th July 2015

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter

Kemerton Clippings - added 31st January 2015

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter

35th Governors Meeting - 3rd November 2014 - added 31st January 2015

The 35th Meeting of Governors took place on 3rd November 2014. This annual meeting involves Governors, staff & key volunteers. It is a chance for staff and key volunteers to update the Governors on the previous year's work, discuss any issues or plans for the coming year and set the budget for the next financial year. In addition, the Governors check and approve the annual accounts and the Chairman gives his annual report on activity relating to the trust's previous financial year.

Please click on the link to vew the Chairman's Report & Annual Accounts 2013/14
Please click on the link to view the Conservation Advisor's Report 2013/14
Please click on the link to view the Support Coordinator's Report 2013/14

The Ash Bed Restoration Project completes - added 7th October 2014

A one year project which aimed to restore an old coppice remnant woodland on Bredon Hill was completed on 31st July 2014. This small project also included a short trial which aimed to research which grazing animals were doing the most damage to woodland flora and shrubs. Please click on the link to view the full project report.

Kemerton Clippings - added 30th July 2014

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter

Woodland Shrub & Wildflower Project Completes - added 30th July 2014

A five year project aimed at enhancing some of the younger woodland owned or managed by the Trust was completed on 31st March 2014. This project, which was generously sponsored by four local businesses and individuals has proved a great success. Please click on the link to view the full project report

Kemerton Clippings - added 25th January 2014

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter

34th Governors Meeting - 5th November 2013 - added 25th January 2014

The 33rd Meeting of Governors took place on 5th November 2013. This annual meeting involves Governors, staff & key volunteers. It is a chance for staff and key volunteers to update the Governors on the previous year's work, discuss any issues or plans for the coming year and set the budget for the next financial year. In addition, the Governors check and approve the annual accounts and the Chairman gives his annual report on activity relating to the trust's previous financial year.

Please click on the link to view the Chairman's Report & Annual Accounts 2012/13
Please click on the link to view the Conservation Officer's Report 2012/13
Please click on the link to view the Support Coordinator's Report 2012/13

Kemerton Clippings - added 10th August 2013

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter

Annual Easter Egg Hunt Eggcitment Attracts Record Numbers - added 14th April 2013

70 children took part in KCT's 5th Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday 30th March at Kemerton Court - a record number for us! After what seems like months of cold, dreary weather, the sun finally made an appearance and, coupled with copious quantities of chocolate eggs, ensured the event was a great success. As always, the egg hunt and nature trail were accompanied by a picture competition. The winner this year was Finlay Horrocks, aged 7, whose wonderfully imaginative picture of a Lesser Spotted Easter Bird is shown here. Congraulations Finlay! The judges had a hard time choosing the winner from a lovely selection of artwork, so all the entries can be viewed here: Easter Egg Competition Pictures

Kemerton Clippings - added 30th January 2013

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter

33rd Governors Meeting - 5th November 2012 - added 30th January 2013

he 33rd Meeting of Governors took place on 5th November 2012. This annual meeting involves Governors, staff & key volunteers. It is a chance for staff and key volunteers to update the Governors on the previous year's work, discuss any issues or plans for the coming year and set the budget for the next financial year. In addition, the Governors check and approve the annual accounts and the Chairman gives his annual report on activity relating to the trust's previous financial year.

Please click on the link to view the Chairman's Report & Annual Accounts for 2011/12 
Please click on the link to view the Conservation Officer's Report for 2011/12
Please click on the link to view the Support Coordinator's Report for 2011/12

Kemerton Clippings - added 9th February 2012

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter: Kemerton Clippings 9 Jan 2012 Email Version.pdf

32nd Governors Meeting - 9th November 2011 - added 13th November 2011

The 32nd Meeting of Governors took place on 9th November 2011. This annual meeting involves Governors, staff & key volunteers. It is a chance for staff and key volunteers to update the Governors on the previous year's work, discuss any issues or plans for the coming year and set the budget for the next financial year. In addition, the Governors check and approve the annual accounts and the Chairman gives his annual report on activity relating to the trust's previous financial year.

Please click on the link to view the Chairman's Report for the 2010/11 Year: Chairman's Report 2010-11.pdf
Please click on the link to view the Conservation Advisor's Report for 2010/11: Conservation Advisor's Report 2010-11.pdf

Kemerton Clippings - added 28th July 2011

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter: Kemerton Clippings 8 Jul 11

Awards for All funded project launched on Monday 20th June

On Monday 20th June, KCT officially unveiled an Awards for All lottery-funded project at Kemerton Lake Nature Reserve (KLNR), celebrating with a free Orchid Walk for members and the general public, led by KCT Chairman Adrian Darby and KCT Support Coordinator Kate Aubury.

KCT was awarded a grant of £2104.00 from the Big Lottery Fund through the Awards for All strand towards new maps and signage at Kemerton Lake Nature Reserve in late 2010 and staff and volunteers have been working hard to complete the work in time for the launch in June. We chose June so that attendees could enjoy the wonderful spectacle of native bee, pyramidal and common spotted orchids that flower at the lake at this time.

Kemerton Lake Nature Reserve is very popular with our local communities, but has been lacking in route signage and maps for use by visitors. This grant funding from the lottery has allowed the design and printing of new reserve maps, including a downloadable pdf available on our website for visitors to access, new signage around the reserve marking the permissive footpaths and entrances to the reserve and a new leaflet about the trust for use at events throughout the year. We hope that this new information will allow locals and visitors to enjoy the reserve more fully, whilst also ensuring wildlife and delicate habitats are protected from trespass.

KCT is very grateful to the Big Lottery Fund for their generosity in funding this work at KLNR.

Update on Woodland Shrubs & Wildflower Projects

The Woodland Shrubs & Wildflowers Project was set up in 2009 by KCT Conservation Advisor John Clarke to seek sponsorship for work on improving the shrub layer and ground flora in KCT's younger woodland. The project will run for five years, funded by five local sponsors. Below is an extract from John's recent report to the current Project Sponsors (Cotswold Agricultural Merchants, Bredon Forest School, Stanway Screens & Sharon Priest). KCT is very grateful to the sponsors for their invaluable support.

Work in the woods started in winter 2009-10. Following preparatory work shrubs were planted in KCT’s John Moore Reserve. Bird nest boxes were also repaired and increased in number. A few shrubs were planted around the new glade which is to be used as a reception area at KCT’s Kemerton Lake Nature Reserve and a start was made on planting shrubs in Collins Plantation at the reserve. During winter 2010-11 more shrubs were planted in the John Moore Reserve, in Collins Plantation and in Cherry Orchard Plantation. Each autumn, seed is collected from local shrubs such as Hazel, Privet, Dogwood and Holly and these are grown on in the estate greenhouse or by volunteers. It can take several years before the seeds evolve into shrubs large enough to plant out. All young shrubs need to be protected from grazing by rabbits and deer. The Leaf Litter Trials in the woodlands include translocations of bulbs and seed from within or outside the estate as we seek to establish which woodland plant species can survive in our woodland habitat and then encourage their spread. The trials comprise some small areas fenced off from grazing (cages) and some merely marked by posts. It is hoped that in the future we will raise funding to compile a report on the Leaf Litter Trials.

During all this work we have found time to recycle material from thinning operations in the woods to build Beetle Wigwams, Beetle Lodges and Brush Piles. The latter have since been used for nesting by Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. In 2010 a pair of Treecreeper nested in a Wigwam.

The practical work is led by Alan Marsh, our warden, supported by Kate Aubury’s team of volunteers.

KCT is still hoping to find one more sponsor for this valuable project. If you feel that you, your business or organisation would like to support this project, please contact John Clarke on 01386 725653 or by email on kctoffice@btinternet.com

Easter Egg Hunt is Eggcellent Fun!

45 children turned out for the annual Easter Egg Hunt at Kemerton Court on Saturday 23rd, accompanied by parents and grandparents. The weather was wonderful and a fabulous morning of egg-hunting resulted in lots of tired but happy children leaving with chocolate eggs clutched in their hands! In addition to the egg hunt and nature trail, KCT held a picture competition, open to all children who attended, and the best pictures submitted are shown here: Easter Egg Competition Pictures.pdf
Congratulations to these budding artists!

Kemerton Clippings

Please click on the link to view the latest edition of our newsletter: Kemerton Clippings 7 Jan 2011

Grant from the Severn Waste Environmental Fund

We have received a grant from the Severn Waste Environmental Fund via Entrust and admistered by ‘Welcome to Our Future’ for £3,000 towards the cost of completing repair works at Beggarboys nature reserve – one of our top wildlife sites. Due to a reduction in Trust funding the reserve had suffered from a lack of management and the weir had fallen into disrepair. An earlier grant from the Severn Waste Environmental Fund allowed us to carry out initial works and to assess other work required. A grant from Cotswold Conservation Board then allowed us to complete Phase 1 of the repairs. This new grant will allow us to complete Phase 2 of the repairs and, with the help of volunteers, resume habitat management.

Grant from Naturesave

Naturesave have offered us a grant of £500 towards a joint project with Buglife on Crayfish conservation. For more details on the crayfish project, take a look at Kemerton Clippings.

Traditional Orchards Project

KCT's Orchard Project ends on 31st March 2011. This has been a hugely successful 2 year project funded by The National Trust. Please click on the link to view our report - 'Traditional Orchards Project on Kemerton Estate'