Kent landscape that inspired Dickens declared nature reserve
Natural England, which advises the Government on the environment, announced the creation of the North Kent Woods and Downs national nature reserve on Friday.
This means the 800-acre landscape has been marked out as an area of focus for conservation and nature restoration efforts.
The mosaic of different habitats is home to key species including Man and Lady orchids, the Maidstone mining bee, Hazel dormouse and skylarks, around 1,700 ancient and veteran trees, and the Silverhand Estate – one of the UK's largest organic vineyards.
Cobham Woods helped inspire Charles Dickens (National Trust Images/Jo Hatcher/PA)
Dickens, who lived in different areas of north Kent during his life in the 19th Century, drew inspiration from the landscape in his writings.
The nature reserve designation also aims to boost the local economy, tourism and access to nature for around 400,000 people who live within five miles of the reserve and an estimated eight million who live within an hour's drive away.
The ancient woodlands have maintained tree cover since the Tudor era, when Henry VIII was said to have given Kent the nickname 'Garden of England'.
Natural England's partners, which include the National Trust, Woodland Trust and Kent County Council, will be working to support conservation efforts beyond the boundary of the reserve to create a joined-up approach to nature recovery for a further 1,100 hectares in the surrounding area.
Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England said: 'Creating bigger, better and more joined-up natural areas is one of the most vital and fundamental steps we must take in meeting our national targets for Nature's recovery.
A map of the North Kent Woods and Downs national nature reserve (National Trust/PA)
'This new reserve, with its hundreds of ancient trees set amid extensive chalk grasslands, lays the foundations for multiple partners to work together to improve Nature across a significant area of countryside.'
The reserve comes as the eighth in the King's Series – a programme to establish 25 large-scale national nature reserves across England by 2027 in celebration of Charles' coronation.
Nature minister Mary Creagh said: 'This new National Nature reserve will give people the opportunity to explore Kent's magical landscapes from wildflower meadows to ancient woodlands.
'Reserves like this one, and others in the King's Coronation Series, will deliver on our promise to improve access to nature and protect nature-rich habitats, as well as boosting the local economy in line with our Plan for Change.'
Holborough Woodlands are being protected (Michael Charlton/PA)
Nick Johannsen, national landscape director at Kent Downs National Landscape, said: 'The North Kent Woods and Downs National Nature Reserve is especially exciting because of the sheer scale, nearly 20 square kilometres of land managed for nature, people, its beauty and history and for scientific research and so close to the urban centres of Gravesend and the Medway Towns.
'Many partners from the public, private, community and charity sectors are working together here, on some of the very best sites for wildlife in England.'
With support from Natural England and Kent Downs National Landscape, the reserve will be managed by a number of partners including the National Trust, Woodland Trust, Kent County Council, Plantlife, Silverhand Estate (Vineyard Farms Ltd) and the West Kent Downs Countryside Trust.
Meanwhile, affiliated partners include Gravesham Borough Council, Birling Estate, Shorne Parish Council, Tarmac and Forestry England.
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Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
Man reunited with father's wartime documents found hidden in desk drawer
Son had never seen contents of folder, containing old papers and letters from the Second World War Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A man has told of his delight at being reunited with Second World War documents that belonged to his father after they were found hidden in a desk 18 years after he died. Martin Reid bought the desk at auction four years ago but only discovered the folder of documents recently when he was moving furniture and found them behind a drawer that had been stuck. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Reid discovered the papers had belonged to the late Ian Rodger, from Glasgow, who served with 2 Squadron of the 6th Armoured Division Signal Regiment, a unit of the British Army, and fought in Italy and Tunisia during the war. Sandy Rodger, left, and Martin Reid. Second World War documents that belonged to Mr Rodger's late father Ian were found hidden in a desk bought by Mr Reid | PA After hearing about the discovery following an appeal for information made through the Church of Scotland, Mr Rodger's son Sandy came forward to claim the documents. He travelled from his home in Rye in East Sussex to meet Mr Reid in Edinburgh on Thursday and to thank him personally as he collected the folder. Mr Rodger, 62, said he had a collection of his father's old papers and letters from the war but had never seen the contents of the folder before, and he thanked Mr Reid for his 'kind return' of the documents. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Flat clearout during lockdown He said: 'In January 2021, with my 90-year-old mother Isabel's health fast deteriorating, I travelled from home in Sussex to Glasgow to help her move into a care home. Second World War papers found hidden in a desk bought by Martin Reid at auction four years ago | PA 'Under lockdown rules this allowed little time for preparation or even a proper goodbye, and then I was left with less than two days to clear her flat, trying to preserve the memories of her own and my father's long and rather remarkable lives. 'In the process I missed a folder of papers which had fallen behind a desk drawer, and, but for Martin's kindness and initiative, they would have remained lost. 'I am hugely grateful to Martin and to Cameron Brooks from the church for their detective work, and to the multiple people who saw articles about the appeal and got in touch to let me know.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The desk which was sold at auction, and Captain Ian Rodger | Church of Scotland/Scottish Opera The folder contained photographs, letters and maps relating to the British Army's involvement in the campaign known as the Liberation of Italy between 1943 and 1945. Ian Rodger held the rank of captain during the war and can be seen in a wartime photo which appears to feature Major Jack (John) Profumo – who later became a secretary of state but whose political career ended after an affair with Christine Keeler came to light in the 1960s. After being demobilised, Mr Rodger practised as a solicitor in Glasgow, co-founded Scottish Opera and was involved in the Scouts and Wellington Church of Scotland in Glasgow where he was an elder. He died aged 91 in 2007 and in March 2021 his desk was put up for sale at McTear's Auctioneers in Glasgow. His widow Isabel died in February 2023. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Reid, from Lanark in South Lanarkshire, bought it for £110 and used it regularly at his home over the years, not knowing the historic papers were hidden inside until he found them in late March this year. Mr Rodger, a business consultant, said: 'The papers add to a fascinating collection of letters maps and photos, telling the story of the 8th Army's advance through North Africa, Italy, and into Austria in the last three years of the war, defeat of the Germans turning into the race for Berlin which shaped Western Europe for the next 50 years. Major Jack Profumo (back row, in doorway) and Captain Ian Rodger (second row, third left) | Church of Scotland 'The perspective of a signals officer, constantly on the move, keeping troops connected to their command, offers an amazing overview of the conflict. 'There isn't much mention of the human cost of the war, and my father never really spoke of this, perhaps typically. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'But it's a proud and detailed account of an extraordinary endeavour, told by a young man who, with the benefit of hindsight, survived and could be said to have had a 'good war'. 'Moving reaction' Mr Reid said he is delighted to have been able to reunite Mr Rodger with his father's papers. 'This was a story that certainly captured the imagination of many people and Sandy got in touch with the church the morning the article was published, which was rather astonishing given he lives on the south coast of England,' Mr Reid said. 'The maps, letters and photographs are utterly fascinating and provide a really important insight into the British Army's involvement in the Italian campaign against Adolf Hitler's Germany.
Western Telegraph
7 hours ago
- Western Telegraph
Man reunited with father's wartime documents found hidden in desk drawer
Martin Reid bought the desk at auction four years ago but only discovered the folder of documents recently when he was moving furniture and found them behind a drawer that had been stuck. Mr Reid discovered the papers had belonged to the late Ian Rodger, from Glasgow, who served with 2 Squadron of the 6th Armoured Division Signal Regiment, a unit of the British Army, and fought in Italy and Tunisia during the war. After hearing about the discovery following an appeal for information made through the Church of Scotland, Mr Rodger's son Sandy came forward to claim the documents. He travelled from his home in Rye in East Sussex to meet Mr Reid in Edinburgh on Thursday and to thank him personally as he collected the folder. Martin Reid found the papers in a desk he had bought at auction (Church of Scotland/PA) Mr Rodger, 62, said he had a collection of his father's old papers and letters from the war but had never seen the contents of the folder before, and he thanked Mr Reid for his 'kind return' of the documents. He said: 'In January 2021, with my 90-year-old mother Isabel's health fast deteriorating, I travelled from home in Sussex to Glasgow to help her move into a care home. 'Under lockdown rules this allowed little time for preparation or even a proper goodbye, and then I was left with less than two days to clear her flat, trying to preserve the memories of her own and my father's long and rather remarkable lives. 'In the process I missed a folder of papers which had fallen behind a desk drawer, and, but for Martin's kindness and initiative, they would have remained lost. 'I am hugely grateful to Martin and to Cameron Brooks from the church for their detective work, and to the multiple people who saw articles about the appeal and got in touch to let me know.' The folder contained photographs, letters and maps relating to the British Army's involvement in the campaign known as the Liberation of Italy between 1943 and 1945. Ian Rodger held the rank of captain during the war and can be seen in a wartime photo which appears to feature Major Jack (John) Profumo – who later became a secretary of state but whose political career ended after an affair with Christine Keeler came to light in the 1960s. The papers lay hidden for years (Church of Scotland/PA) After being demobilised, Mr Rodger practised as a solicitor in Glasgow, co-founded Scottish Opera and was involved in the Scouts and Wellington Church of Scotland in Glasgow where he was an elder. He died aged 91 in 2007 and in March 2021 his desk was put up for sale at McTear's Auctioneers in Glasgow. His widow Isabel died in February 2023. Mr Reid, from Lanark in South Lanarkshire, bought it for £110 and used it regularly at his home over the years, not knowing the historic papers were hidden inside until he found them in late March this year. Mr Rodger, a business consultant, said: 'The papers add to a fascinating collection of letters maps and photos, telling the story of the 8th Army's advance through North Africa, Italy, and into Austria in the last three years of the war, defeat of the Germans turning into the race for Berlin which shaped Western Europe for the next 50 years. 'The perspective of a signals officer, constantly on the move, keeping troops connected to their command, offers an amazing overview of the conflict. 'There isn't much mention of the human cost of the war, and my father never really spoke of this, perhaps typically. 'But it's a proud and detailed account of an extraordinary endeavour, told by a young man who, with the benefit of hindsight, survived and could be said to have had a 'good war'. Mr Reid said he is delighted to have been able to reunite Mr Rodger with his father's papers. 'This was a story that certainly captured the imagination of many people and Sandy got in touch with the church the morning the article was published, which was rather astonishing given he lives on the south coast of England,' Mr Reid said. 'The maps, letters and photographs are utterly fascinating and provide a really important insight into the British Army's involvement in the Italian campaign against Adolf Hitler's Germany. 'Sandy is a lovely guy and very proud of his father and it was very moving seeing his reaction as he leafed through the folder and shared anecdotes.'
Glasgow Times
7 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Man reunited with father's wartime documents found hidden in desk drawer
Martin Reid bought the desk at auction four years ago but only discovered the folder of documents recently when he was moving furniture and found them behind a drawer that had been stuck. Mr Reid discovered the papers had belonged to the late Ian Rodger, from Glasgow, who served with 2 Squadron of the 6th Armoured Division Signal Regiment, a unit of the British Army, and fought in Italy and Tunisia during the war. After hearing about the discovery following an appeal for information made through the Church of Scotland, Mr Rodger's son Sandy came forward to claim the documents. He travelled from his home in Rye in East Sussex to meet Mr Reid in Edinburgh on Thursday and to thank him personally as he collected the folder. Martin Reid found the papers in a desk he had bought at auction (Church of Scotland/PA) Mr Rodger, 62, said he had a collection of his father's old papers and letters from the war but had never seen the contents of the folder before, and he thanked Mr Reid for his 'kind return' of the documents. He said: 'In January 2021, with my 90-year-old mother Isabel's health fast deteriorating, I travelled from home in Sussex to Glasgow to help her move into a care home. 'Under lockdown rules this allowed little time for preparation or even a proper goodbye, and then I was left with less than two days to clear her flat, trying to preserve the memories of her own and my father's long and rather remarkable lives. 'In the process I missed a folder of papers which had fallen behind a desk drawer, and, but for Martin's kindness and initiative, they would have remained lost. 'I am hugely grateful to Martin and to Cameron Brooks from the church for their detective work, and to the multiple people who saw articles about the appeal and got in touch to let me know.' The folder contained photographs, letters and maps relating to the British Army's involvement in the campaign known as the Liberation of Italy between 1943 and 1945. Ian Rodger held the rank of captain during the war and can be seen in a wartime photo which appears to feature Major Jack (John) Profumo – who later became a secretary of state but whose political career ended after an affair with Christine Keeler came to light in the 1960s. The papers lay hidden for years (Church of Scotland/PA) After being demobilised, Mr Rodger practised as a solicitor in Glasgow, co-founded Scottish Opera and was involved in the Scouts and Wellington Church of Scotland in Glasgow where he was an elder. He died aged 91 in 2007 and in March 2021 his desk was put up for sale at McTear's Auctioneers in Glasgow. His widow Isabel died in February 2023. Mr Reid, from Lanark in South Lanarkshire, bought it for £110 and used it regularly at his home over the years, not knowing the historic papers were hidden inside until he found them in late March this year. Mr Rodger, a business consultant, said: 'The papers add to a fascinating collection of letters maps and photos, telling the story of the 8th Army's advance through North Africa, Italy, and into Austria in the last three years of the war, defeat of the Germans turning into the race for Berlin which shaped Western Europe for the next 50 years. 'The perspective of a signals officer, constantly on the move, keeping troops connected to their command, offers an amazing overview of the conflict. 'There isn't much mention of the human cost of the war, and my father never really spoke of this, perhaps typically. 'But it's a proud and detailed account of an extraordinary endeavour, told by a young man who, with the benefit of hindsight, survived and could be said to have had a 'good war'. Mr Reid said he is delighted to have been able to reunite Mr Rodger with his father's papers. 'This was a story that certainly captured the imagination of many people and Sandy got in touch with the church the morning the article was published, which was rather astonishing given he lives on the south coast of England,' Mr Reid said. 'The maps, letters and photographs are utterly fascinating and provide a really important insight into the British Army's involvement in the Italian campaign against Adolf Hitler's Germany. 'Sandy is a lovely guy and very proud of his father and it was very moving seeing his reaction as he leafed through the folder and shared anecdotes.'
