Residents will be seeing sheep grazing at a landmark for the first time in many years after new graziers were announced for a trio of open spaces in a town.
Thetford Town Council has chosen Charles Clack and Matthew Rouston, local farmers with extensive experience in livestock management, to graze cattle and sheep on Barnham Cross Common and Ford Meadow and for the first time in many years, have sheep on parts of Castle Park.
The use of the grazing land for the pair will begin in April this year.
Councillor Hazel McCambridge, vice chairperson of the council’s amenities committee said: “I am very pleased that Thetford Town Council are able to manage these green spaces in our town in a way that encourages plants and insects which are very special to Breckland.
“We are really lucky to have this opportunity to work with graziers who are passionate about wildlife, sharing their knowledge with the community and helping us see these special areas flourish.”
These open space areas are environmentally and historically significant with Barnham Cross Common a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and Castle Park a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Mr Clack and Mr Rouston, owners of Regency Agricultural Services, will work closely with the council and the local community to ensure that the grazing is carried out in a sustainable and respectful manner.
Mr Clack said: “We are delighted to have been successful with our bid to take on the council’s grazing sites.
“We look forward to introducing our stock this spring and working with the council to better manage the sites. It is important to us to engage with the public on all sites to build a better understanding of livestock and farming in general.”
All grazed sites will also carry signage with information regarding the animals and emergency contact details.
The council is asking residents to be considerate of the animals when using the grazed areas and to follow the instructions and guidance on the signs.
