Home Farm consists of 24 hectares and is situated south of the A148, west of the Roman Camp junction. Having been in the custody of the same family for several generations, this farm is owned by Kevin Massingham and contracted out for arable use to a local farmer. Previous activities on the farm had included regular driven game shooting by the nearby Gresham estate including the provision of game cover crops and the intensive release of Pheasant and Red-legged Partridge for this purpose. This is no longer the case, with only annual Woodpigeon crop protection and informal walked up shooting taking place on rare occasions. This change and less disturbance have brought about increased biodiversity.

The farm is made up of two large arable fields, one smaller field and two ancient meadows associated with cattle and sheep rearing, commonplace in the past on a relatively small farm holding. The current rotational cropping comprises oil seed rape, winter cereals, fodder beet and field beans with an annual hay crop taken from the meadows. The fields are bordered by traditional hedges, comprised principally of Blackthorn and Hawthorn. A diagonal public footpath from the A148 to Aylmerton bisects the area. On the western boundary there runs a traditional Norfolk ‘loke’ in the form of an access track bordered by mature Oak, Sycamore and Sweet Chestnut with brambles as understorey. To the southeast corner is an old marl pit, now existing as a mature grove of deciduous trees and shrubs. Both these marginal areas are rich habitats and a fundamental balance between land use and wildlife havens.

Kevin was approached by Felbeck Trust via a friend when it had become apparent that the corroded barbed wire fence line adjacent to the roadside meadow would lend itself to hedge planting. Supported by the NNDC tree planting initiative, upwards of 200  check whips were acquired, along with tree guards and canes. On 23rd November 2021, Felbeck Trust, assisted by 17 volunteers from Marsh Insurance, planted the new hedge line and a small copse with Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Guelder Rose, Rowan, English Dogwood, and Hazel. Honeysuckle and Old Man’s Beard were added as climbing varieties. Kevin had cleared the designated planting run of turf to a depth of 20 centimetres. This preparation was fundamental in ensuring a high success rate for the saplings as the channel created moist conditions, trapping both rainwater and dewfall during the ensuing years of drought. This model could be adapted elsewhere. Kevin was very supportive of the hedge project as he is interested in the natural environment, passionate about retaining his family landscape heritage and promoting wellbeing by our engagement with the natural world.

The new hedge is now flourishing, including the first fruiting of Guelder Rose in 2025. Not only are the species themselves of benefit to wildlife but also the undisturbed 1.5m wildlife herbage corridor between the meadow and arable field. Species observed using the new planting and adjacent old hedges, include Roe and Chinese Water Deer, Bank and Field Vole, Speckled Wood, Common Blue and Brimstone butterflies alongside numerous bird species. The latter have been recorded via the North East Norfolk Bird Club website and have included such passerines as Spotted Flycatcher, Brambling, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Redwing, with predators such as Kestrel, Red Kite, Buzzard, Tawny Owl and Barn Owl taking advantage of prey habitat created by the new planting. The latter species have also benefitted by the installation of both ‘chimney style’ and triangular nest boxes in the marl pit wood and boundary loke, although from collected evidence, Barn Owl prefer to frequent the remaining derelict buildings.

Future initiatives at Home Farm could involve the excavation of an original ‘dew pond’ in the eastern meadow that was identified by characteristic plant species during a site visit by the Norfolk Rivers Trust. This would be reliant upon funding, professional guidance and the landowner’s desire to reinstate this feature in the landscape.