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November 2021 November 2021

DWT owns or leases 42 nature reserves throughout Dorset. These are areas which
BERE REGIS HISTORY SOCIETY that are Sites of Special Scientific Interest or have other conservation designations
are managed to maintain wildlife. Now, however in the case of Wild Woodbury,
When Electricity came to Bere Regis the Trust has embarked on a fantastic new venture to showcase how modern
intensively cultivated land can be rewilded. This will not only bring back wildlife
Between about 1925 and 1935 the National Grid was and people to the area but also locally help tackle the current climate and
rolled out across the UK. It consisted of towers carrying ecological emergencies.
wires with 25,000 volts running through them, but Bere
Regis was low on the list of priorities after cities, large High levels of nitrates from modern fertilizers that have been used on most of the
towns and normal towns. farmland over many years have entered waterways that initiate here and
eventually enter Poole harbour where they damage the sensitive wildlife
Before this, generator-powered electricity was popular for those who could afford ecosystems. In particular, the eastern fields were drained in Victorian times by
it. The church was the first to get a generator for electric power and this was set deep ditches that cause run off into the River Sherford.
up in 1925 using a generator-house next to the tower on the North side. It
replaced oil lamps suspended on chains in the nave of the church, and was first In addition, rewilding with minimal soil
switched on in the evening of 11 November 1925, Remembrance Sunday. It was disturbance will, as well as greatly
said that a similar system was set up at both Hyde House and Culeaze House in increasing the diversity of the plant
1926 and 1927 after the success of the installation had been demonstrated. The and animal communities, also aid
National Grid finally came to the village in 1932 with poles set up in both West carbon storage which is so important
Street and North Street, then still called simply "The Street" collectively. Many in addressing the all important
houses were connected with provision for those still to decide being easily added concern regarding climate change.
when the decision had been made. Detail planning is still in progress, but
Southbrook was added to the system in 1933, baseline surveys have already
there being fewer customers in that part of the started by expert staff, volunteers
village, and it eventually got half way up Rye and university specialists to monitor
Hill in 1935 for the school to be connected in firstly the key species groups, i.e.
the summer of 1935. It was formally switched birds, plants, invertebrates and mammals. Secondly the water quality and
on at the beginning of the Autumn term on 9th quantity on the site. In the near future, we hope that by re-naturalising the
September 1935. The poles through the village hydrology on site we can create around 30 hectares of wetland habitat which
supplied 240 volts at 50 hertz, and the whole will be superb for wildlife and reduce the potential for flooding. Thirdly, there will
system was eventually controlled by the be soil chemical analyses of key plant nutrients, ph. and organic carbon levels.
Central Electricity Generating Board based at In addition, we are taking advice on the need for sensitive management of the
Birmingham and supplied, mainly, from coal- sites historical features. These are, in particular, the site of the Turberville family
fired power stations, also in the Midlands. There Manor at Court Green which was a key part of the parish from the 13 to the 18
th
th
were various sub-station transformers in the century. Prior to that it was the site of King John’s hunting lodge which is, of course
village at Rye Hill, Snow Hill, West Street, North the reason for the derivation of our village name of Bere Regis.
Street and Shitterton.
DWT is very keen to collaborate with the village community and early talks have
John Pitfield, Projects Secretary taken place with the Parish Council. . To help develop liaison with the village
community, a new staff member is being appointed as a ‘Wilder Dorset
Community Ranger; He will join Rob Farrington, the Project Manager on site at the
beginning of November and one of their priorities will be connecting with the
community.
We plan to give a monthly report on this exciting project develops. Watch this
space!

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