Danecroft Cottage. Episode 1: The Hidden Gem. Stowmarket's hidden nature reserve.

Hidden away down a secret lane in Stowmarket, Suffolk, Danecroft Cottage and surrounding land is managed by Steve & Judith Thompson. Over 23 years they have been managing the river valley that runs through their property. Creating wildlife habitats across their land they have seen an increase in wildlife including, owls, otters, voles, moths and snakes.
In this video, Judith took me around half of their land explaining the work that they've been doing and the wildlife wonders they have witnessed.
Music: iMove samples.
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[@smallworksbigbiker]

What amazing place

[@Walksandwanders]

It is. 🙂

[@optimisticgal]

I've only just seen this 4 years later. What a fantastic setting. Great video. Was there a follow up with this lady? I hope she's still in there and as enthusiastic as ever!? Thanks to people like her these places are preserved.

[@Walksandwanders]

@@optimisticgal yes there’s 11 videos featuring Judith. There in a playlist on this channel titled Danecroft Diaries. Link to playlist in next comment. I’m also currently making a new video with Judith and others along the same theme. Glad you found the Danecroft videos - really enjoyed filming them

[@Walksandwanders]

@@optimisticgal The Danecroft Diaries playlist is here: kzbin.info/aero/PLQl8OCTDYZFgsFPfX2-zLUEIBlJeIzW1u&si=RisNs7SgPGdwmlFU

[@optimisticgal]

@@Walksandwanders Thank you so much, it'll give me lots of enjoyment over a cuppa or two!

[@Walksandwanders]

@@optimisticgal Enjoy 😀

[@margaretbrown5679]

Remember this area from my childhood, when we used to walk down to the bridge to play Pooh Sticks but first had to brave where the local game keeper used to hang his' trophies' on the fence! Now love walking through on my way to get eggs, its a great way to watch the changing seasons and the wildlife. Over the years have watched the work as its progressed its a wonderful place.

[@Walksandwanders]

Margaret Brown Great memories!

[@suffolkngood]

Super. I love her passion.

[@paulmardon135]

This video is really wonderful and captures the history of this special area of Stowmarket, particularly valuable to have added the old maps and aerial views. Thank you for sharing Judith, Steve & Don. Maggie Aldridge & Paul Mardon

[@Walksandwanders]

Paul Mardon Thanks! Much appreciated! 😀

[@conradfreezer175]

Very interesting. I lived in Combs Lane near there from 1937 to 1962 and often used the lane and remember the osia beds where we used to play.

[@Walksandwanders]

Conrad Freezer Sounds like great memories to have.

[@lesleywood1230]

I loved this video. I also love walking down (Maisie’s) lane! Remember we named it years ago Judith when I used to push my granddaughter in her prom down the lane to get her to sleep! She’s almost 15 now and I still enjoy my walks down there. I did meet an elderly gentleman once at the bridge he said he was remembering when he proposed to his ‘lady’ right there many years ago. A beautiful spot for such an event.

[@loki1066]

Just a thought - so we could find these places we never knew existed - you could put a ' what three words' reference on screen at an opportune moment 😉

[@Walksandwanders]

I did think of that, and also have put a Google maps pin in a couple of more recent videos. I think often doing the walk or history research, filming live action with no retakes, hours of editing and holding down a full time job, assuming no one would actually watch my videos, getting the location link was low priority. However, I will try and do what you suggest in future videos if I can. Appreciate the suggestion. And thanks for watching. FYI this location is w3w.co/consoled.supposes.tinned Access to the public footpath is at: w3w.co/bunks.shipwreck.boxer

[@loki1066]

@@Walksandwanders Thank you! I used to run the old swimming pool 1979-1985 and never realised there were so many things to see nearby.