GLEBE CONSERVATION AREA

The Glebe Trust was originally founded in 1985 by Robin Wardell as The Local History and Conservation Group, its aim being to ensure that the Glebe area became a valuable village asset for generations to come. During the 19th Century the Glebe served the local vicar as an area to graze horses and other domestic livestock.

The land was almost sold for development in the 1980s before the village stepped in to preserve this unique space in perpetuity for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike. With advice and guidance from Schering Agriculture, and financial support from many local and national organisations, including The Countryside Commission, English Heritage, Nature Conservancy Council, Sheriff Hutton Parish Council and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, and also from village residents, the site, comprising 3.5 acres, was purchased from the Church of England Commissioners in 1986. It is held by the Trustees, and maintained with invaluable help from many volunteers and Friends of the Glebe Conservation Area.

It is located at the east end of the village, adjacent to the early English Church of St Helen and the Holy Cross, and contains an unusual rectangular ringwork fort, consisting of 4 separate mounds (or mottes) and bailey, believed to date from pre-Norman Conquest of 1066. There are many such earthworks in Britain, dating back to Saxon times (450-1066 AD). A motte is a raised mound, which would have had a stone or wooden keep on top; a bailey is an enclosed area bordered by a ditch where people or stock could retreat for safety and shelter.

The Glebe area also contains evidence of ridge and furrow farming, and building platforms of former peasant holdings, an indication that the site was hugely important in the lives of our antecedents in the village. Some more detailed history of the Glebe and its motte and bailey is contained in Within the Pale, published in 2005.

The historical significance of the Glebe is reflected in its listing by Historic England, as a protected Scheduled Monument number 1017484 (click on number to view full HE entry). A small triangular piece of land to the east of the Glebe was donated to the Trust in 1991 by local farmer Michael Easterby, and the pond to the south also was donated by the Howarth family in 1993.

In order to mitigate the withdrawal of funding by EH, the “Friends of the Glebe” was established in 2014. Friends subscribe £10 a year to help cover the annual insurance and other regularly recurring maintenance costs of well over £600. Annual reports by the Trustees to the Friends, are available by following the underlined links as follows 2023:2022 2021 2020

The Glebe provides a tranquil place for relaxation and contemplation, as well as a valuable site for flora and fauna. It has proved beneficial for field studies and educational visits for schools and other organisations. The site is an important habitat for wildlife, including birds and moths, as well as many species of wild flowers, and as such has been designated as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation. Lists of plant species and birds identified in the Glebe are shown on separate pages.

Regular maintenance work includes limiting the spread of hawthorn, hogweed, bramble and nettle as well as grass cutting to preserve paths. The two ponds require attention. Each year after the wild flowers have gone to seed, the main meadow areas’ grass is cut and removed and then the Glebe benefits from grazing by sheep, in autumn/ early winter. In all of this work we follow advice from English Heritage, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, the Nature Conservancy Council and Ryedale District Council’s Countryside Officer.

The Trustees are:

Helen Hendry, Brian Shepherd and Simon Sweeney.