Each month the Parish Council receives National Trust updates covering a number of topics including housing and landscape (including ‘Big Access, Better Nature’). Copies of the updates are attached below.

If you have questions you would like the PC to ask on your behalf, please email clerk@sherborneparish.org. Whatever you think about the way in which the NT manage their housing and landscape, please make sure items are to the point and respectful.

If you would like to remain anonymous, just mention that in your email and your details will not be shared with the NT.

As we receive questions, and associated answers from the NT, we will post them here for reference.

National Trust Monthly Update Q&A:

Reference – DateCommunity QuestionDateNational Trust Answer
25/1 – 21/1/25“When will the Trust undertake pathway work, they said would be done in the winter, for the path between ice house and through the wood past the quarry, and the gateway up from ewe pens, both of which have become quagmires again recently. They have also still not replaced the information board on woodland, that was demolished by the wood contractors, near the eastern gate house on A40.”4/2/25Track repairs will begin shortly and will be completed before the Sherborne Fun Run in Mid-May.
25/2 – 21/1/25“Can they please advise volunteer days for 2025, which it was their intention to do.”4/2/25A full calendar of Sherborne events for 2025 will be released by Mid-February. Volunteering days are currently planned for April, July and October. Walks are planned for March, June and September.
25/3 – 21/1/25“Any progress on further Newsletters, as minutes on website are not the same, and I am sure a lot more people would read it”.

Note: last National Trust news letter was published Winter 2023

4/2/25We are working with colleagues in our communications team on distribution channels and methods for our newsletter. There are challenges surrounding GDPR on emailing or posting out communications.
25/4 – 21/1/25“What is the situation with the wooded area below Turbine House, as the work that they did at the other end of the Brook, is a real eyesore, and would hope they would not make the same mistake here. Whoever has cut the hedges around the car park at Northfield Barn, has absolutely flailed some of the branches on the mature trees inside the wall – how can we stop this happening in the future?”4/2/25Mareslaid Copse is in the Woodland Management Plan for the estate but there are no current plans to remove any timber from this area of woodland. The track along the North Park wall is an agricultural access track and needs to be kept clear to allow access. We will speak to our contractor to keep any impact on the mature trees to a minimum in the future.
25/5 – 26/1/25“What actions are the Trust taking to stop sheep escaping onto public highways? It has become a weekly occurrence.”4/2/25We have a rolling program of fence replacements taking place across Sherborne Farm and working with our grazier. The new Delivery Manager will be working on this issue as a priority.
25/6 – 21/03/25Wood chip path (Ewe Pens to Ragged Copse): Given the high cost (believe £5K per replacement) of sourcing the correct wood chip, are there plans to create a more permanent path to protect the wild plant margin? If not, could NT use or borrow a woodchipper to produce the required chip from fallen wood on the estate?21/3/25
It is an aim of the NT to replace the woodchip section of path with a surface similar to that of the paths through Ragged Copse. This will involve negotiations with our Tenant at Home Farm and will likely require planning permission following consultation with the Gardens Trust.
25/7 – 21/03/2025Ragged Copse clearance: When will the runoff into Ragged Copse be cleared? Roadside grips can’t be repaired until that’s done21/3/25The grips are planned to be cleared within the next month.
25/8 – 21/03/25Tree planting volunteering: NT mention tree planting taking place, with members of the public? How do they publicise this sort of event, so we can keep our eye out for the future?
21/3/25Public events are advertised via our social media channels, but also on our webpage in the events section: Events at Lodge Park and Sherborne Park Estate.
25/9 – 21/03/25NT have appointed two new positions, with no mention of names- how will they be introduced?
21/3/25Tim Green is our new Delivery Manager and Caroline Senior is our new Senior Project Co-ordinator. They will introduce themselves fully in an upcoming newsletter.
25/10 – 21/03/2025NT contact – Would it be possible to have a monthly drop in at the office, or the club, to discuss issues of concern with Andrew?
21/3/25Would a quarterly drop-in session at the NT offices with Andrew be sufficient as a pilot? The session would be held on a weekday evening. We would also encourage members of the community to get in touch with us via our office email address Sherborne.estate@nationaltrust.org.uk or ring us on 01451 844257.

Attachments