Welcome to
www.bordonandbentleywildlifeconservation.org
A brief history of the Scheme
The Bordon and Bentley Wildlife Conservation Scheme takes its name from the Bordon and Bentley Light Railway, which opened in 1905 and ran from Bentley Station to a station on the site of the present Bordon Trading Estate.
Following Lord Beeching's report in 1963, the railway was dismantled. The land was offered, wherever possible, to the successors in title of the people from whom it had been compulsorily purchased.
Upon the closure of the railway, Maj. M. Szumlicki RAF (retired), who lived at Kingsley Mill, bought the freehold of the portion of disused railway from Gibbs Lane to Kingsley Mill Lane.
In 1993 Mrs D. Szumlicka (the present owner), with support from the River Wey Trust, planted 1ha of woodland in a strip of land bordering Oakhanger Stream. This runs along the north bank, from the disused railway until it meets Kingsley Stream. A variety of native English species were used, with the ultimate aim of establishing sufficient habitat to support a small population of wild otters. These have not been seen locally since the late 1950's.
However, planting trees is not enough to attract a benchmark predator species such as otters: it is necessary to have a complete web of life.
Where the disused railway enters the mature woodland at the Gibbs Lane end, it has been almost completely colonised by woodland species. This colonisation has even extended a little into the area where the land is flanked by open pasture: in the time since the railway was dismantled, this woodland web of life has crept along the track at a rate of about 50cm per year.
In 1999 the Bordon and Bentley Wildlife Conservation Scheme was set up with the aim of accelerating this natural process by forming a 'corridor' plantation along the disused railway. This is to assist the migration of species from the mature woodland at Gibbs Lane to the recently established woodland bordering Oakhanger Stream. All invasive husbandry (such as mowing, and the use of herbicides and pesticides) was brought to an end. Col. Gibbs of Longmoor Camp was also very supportive by erecting signs and ensuring that the land was clearly marked "Out of Bounds" on all MOD training maps of the area.
In 2001, as a result of generous donations from local wildlife enthusiasts, the land was extensively planted with similar trees to the 1994 planting. At the same time, the fencing was renewed and signs were erected. Additional locked gates were fitted and keys were given to selected members of the Scheme who act as Wardens to protect the delicate corridor.
Apart from the Wardens, the only people who are allowed access are guests of the owner. The general public is not permitted access due to damage caused by footfall, etc. Above all, dogs are not permitted: even if kept on a leash, their scent interferes with the territories of wild animals.
