Monitoring the natural world around Knowle and seeking its protection.
The Natural Environment committee (previously Nature Conservation) was formed to manage the Knowle Nature Reserve after the site was saved from development in 1971. It was expanded in 1974 to cover all aspects of nature conservation within the locality. In 2010 the committee was reformed and renamed as Natural Environment.
A short History of Knowle's Local Nature Reserve (LNR)
1971
When 200 acres of farmland between Station Road and Tilehouse Green Lane were released for development, Dr Bower, Chairman of Knowle Society, recalled that the strip of boggy land bordering Purnells Brook beyond Jobs Close Park had always been renowned for its Spring flowers, with an abundance of Common Spotted Orchids and Marsh Marigolds. Miss Wootton (Knowle historian) remembered these fields behind Washpits Dairy farm (now St Lawrence Close) being full of cowslips in her young days, but these were lost to ploughing during World War 2, 1939-45, except for the boggy strip, thus ensuring the survival of the Orchids and Marsh Marigolds.
Dr Bower photographed the field views for posterity and alerted the Society to the threat to this last remaining bog site in Knowle where such a variety of Ancient Woodland marsh flowers was to be found.
1972
Bryant Homes (the developers), Solihull Council and Arden School were all sympathetic to Knowle Society's idea of preserving the site as a Nature Reserve. A flower count by Peggy Pontifex had revealed further species: Ragged Robin, Meadow Pea, Red & White Campion, St. John's Wort, Meadow Sweet, various vetches, trefoils, thistles, sedges, rushes and bog grasses.
1973
Provisional boundaries were pegged out and the grass cut with scythe and sickle by Bill Partridge and John Jarman. Hillmorton Road was built and all the springs sourcing Purnells Brook from the Starbold Road area were 'culverted' away and the brook filled in up to the first stormwater culvert leaving the frog spawning area stranded as a backwater.
1974
Arden School, after re-organisation, now too busy either to help or to arrange field studies. Knowle Society formed a new Nature Conservation Subcommittee, chair Stella Jarman, to continue to manage the Reserve for Solihull Council.
1975
The small Alder copse that had grown up in the war years had again spread out into both north-east and south-west meadows in the five years since farming ceased. Warwickshire Nature Conservation Trust advised on management and the young saplings were cut and treated. The meadows were scythed and cut again with a Flymo. Children took buckets of frogspawn from the backwater. Purnells Brook - the ancient medieval Manor boundary running alongside the Reserve, through Jobs Close, under Warwick Road and the canal until joining the River Blythe - is now fed solely from the stormwater drains in the Ullenhall Road area and is often contaminated with washing machine effluent.
Solihull Council say they cannot afford to replace Bryant’s temporary chestnut paling fencing.
1976
January – The worst floods since 1953 brought down two old, large Alders on the brook into the Orchid meadow – removed by Bryant. Discussions to settle boundaries, fencing and footpaths. Bryant persuaded Council not to run two footpaths right across the meadows from the Ullenhall cul-de-sacs. Stella visited Bryant’s chief architect to agree lines and widths of footpaths either side of the Reserve. Bryant to erect No Dumping notices. Max & Beryl Ellerslie began their year-long photo-slides. Survey of the Reserve.
March – Knowle Cubs cleaned up Reserve and Brook with West Midlands Conservation Corps who also repaired fencing and damned-up the frog spawning backwater behind the first culvert to maintain the water level.
April – Council’s Richard Cobb met Stella and agreed a narrow footpath of 1.5m on the Ullenhall side and to include both banks of Purnells Brook within the Reserve together with extension of the Hillmorton apex boundary beyond the small Goat Willow. Topsoil dumped by Bryant 4ft high the entire length of the Marsh Marigold boundary was removed but led to later invasion of Willow Herb. Cubs rescued clumps of Marsh Marigolds and replanted within the meadow.
June – Large-scale maps received from Council and Bryant. Phoned to have mistakes rectified.
July – Species count revealed 17 tree and shrub and over 100 wild flower species. Council cut the meadows with tractor and cylinder leaving no ruts due to the summer long drought. Alder copse vandalised by children with choppers.
August – Stream and backwater dry and trees wilting in this prolonged heat wave. Our haystack burnt by children but Alder copse saved due to prompt action by Hillmorton Road residents.
August 30 – Heavy rain broke the worst drought of this century.
October – Ullenhall footpath laid to wrong width. Re-laid (!) after phone calls to Bryant.
November – Bryant erected new post and wire fencing round entire perimeter of Reserve. Knowle Society offered sincere thanks to Bryant for this splendid help and co-operation since 1971.
December – Knowle Reserve established at last but still to be formally adopted by Solihull Council, with management to remain with the Society in 1977.
Knowle Park (Job's Close) & Local Nature Reserve (LNR)
(The 'o' in Job's is pronounced long as in Globe not short as in Bob)
Knowle Park, the Nature Reserve, Purnell’s Brook, and the grassland behind it, are all remnants of Knowle’s historical past in the great medieval Forest of Arden.
The Park, with other fields, was grazed by Burton’s Dairy Farm (now St. Lawrence Close) including a boggy area beside Purnell’s Brook. This was saved from development by the Knowle Society in 1971 as a Nature Reserve when 200 acres of farmland between Station Road and Tilehouse Green Lane were released for housing. The tiny bog site was unploughable in both World Wars and so its wealth of now rare Common Spotted Orchids and Marsh Marigolds and many other ancient woodland species, survived. But these have suffered from drying-out ever since, after the head-springs of Purnell’s Brook were culverted away, leaving the Brook to be fed solely from storm-water culverts often polluted with washing-machine effluent.
Purnell’s Brook was in Saxon times the Merebroc, the boundary brook between the Knowle and Longdon manors, and later the parish boundary. Research suggests that a medieval Purnell, who had lived in ‘a messuage called Purnells’ (Records of the Manor) gave his name to the Brook. There are still fields called Purnells in the 1816 Enclosure Map radiating out from the Brook to his (?) old farm at the corner of Lodge Road (formerly Knowle Common Road) opposite the Wilson Arms (formerly the Rising Sun Inn). The farmhouse was bought by the Revd Thomas Blyth in 1806 and sold to the Bower family as The Lodge in 1887, and finally demolished in 1939. The present doctors’ surgery stands on the site.
The Revd Blyth’s estate extended over Longdon Road into the top of the present Park where there were three old claypits down the hill. A boating pond was created within the large bottom pit, and an arboretum of trees was planted up the hill.
Job’s Close House was built in 1904 besides this ‘Pleasance’ and was occupied by Cedarhurst School during the 1939-45 War. It was eventually purchased from Solihull Council by Trustees in 1957 and is, to this day, a much-loved retirement home, administered by the Trustees. The grounds became a public park in 1960 after the loss to housing of Knowle’s Jubilee Field in Station Road, east of the new Arden School. In 1974 the lower Burton’s field was taken in and re-seeded, and the central hedge was removed, leaving only the four alder trees across the Park. The pond was also re-furbished and the remaining two pits levelled and landscaped. Park Superintendent Mr Furniss-Huson had the pond dredged in the 1980’s and it was again part dredged in 2005 but there are still many mallard there and a resident moorhen family.
The Park is currently seeing many improvements, notably to the children’s play area and the grounds between the House and the bungalows; also the installation of a Trim Track and Five-a-Side goalposts. Funding is currently being sought to extend the footpath around the whole of the Park; and it is also planned to lay woodchip along the paths within the rough grassland in January 2006, and to build bridges over the Brook for better access to that area.
Additional Notes
The Rough Grassland LNR - Two fields down to the brook are remnants of the demolished Tilehouse Green Farm in Tilehouse Green Lane. The former farm entrance is marked on either side by two enormous Scots Pines by the pavement. There are apple and damson fruit trees in the grassland close to Longdon Road.
Jobs Close – An orchard planted by Revd. Blyth survived uphill, between the House and Longdon Road and the bungalows – cut down by Solihull Council.
The Pond – Storm water from the House is thought to have drained into the pond from the pipe still visible in the rear bank. Any overflow is carried underground to the brook from the culvert at the pond edge.
The Allotments – were relocated from St John’s Close when the whole area was built over in the 1960’s. There was an old pit, formerly a large pond – according to Mary (née Burton) – next to Burton’s Farm which had been gradually filled with waste from the Tyseley Bakelite factory and had occasionally self-combusted below ground, but the Fire Brigade refused to tackle it! This made an excellent new site for the allotments, and grows exceptionally good vegetables.
Washpits Farm in wartime – Three bombs fell in the surrounding fields while Arthur and Mary Burton were at the Cinema in Station Road (later Johnson’s Garage). They were not allowed back “but we live there” they said. Much soil was thrown up which showered all over the farm buildings.
The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Oaks – 25 were planted by Arden Schoolchildren around the footpath to St. Lawrence Close under the aegis of the Knowle Society to commemorate the Queen’s Jubilee in 1977. Many were systematically vandalised and replanted.
Millennium Commemorative Tree Planting – 25 sponsored trees were planted by Knowle Society members in the open tree area opposite Longdon Road car park. Unfortunately only one yew tree has survived vandalism, strimming and drought.
The Knowle Society 40th Anniversary 2002 – 40 woodland tree whips were planted in the rough grassland against the north boundary wall. Three quarters have survived, growing strongly in the tall, uncut grass.
Medieval Ridge and Furrow ploughing – Remnant ridges can be seen across the Park and in the corner of the Play Area.
An old cottage – stood to the right inside the Park off Lodge Road. Worcester Pearmain apples were stored there from the Job’s Close orchard
The Farms
Mr Green – a speculative builder, bought Washpit’s in 1930. He then bought up all the other farms (in the depression years?) even in Browns Lane. Burtons at Washpits was the last farm to be demolished in 1972. They had all been bought for future development.
Stella Jarman – January 2006
To many people nature conservation in Knowle means the establishment, between 1971-1977, of the Knowle Nature Reserve. However, over the years, other projects have included:
1984 - Tilehouse Green Lane Walkway Our suggestion of a Green Walkway from the moat in Browns Lane towards Bentley Heath School, to preserve an important hedgerow with a wet ditch and a group of ponds, was accepted by the developers and incorporated within the new estate.
At the same time we campaigned successfully against building on Bentley Heath School’s new quarter acre nature area. These two campaigns were the main feature of our I985 Solihull Conservation Fair Stand and received prominent press coverage.
1986 - Jobs Close Park We established a large un-mown area adjacent to Purnells Brook, to allow its sterile monoculture to be re-colonised by the original grasses and plants still surviving close to the brook, and found Lady's Smock, Celandine, Bulbous and Buttercup growing there in later years
1987 Silver Jubilee This year which saw both the Silver Jubilee of the Society, was recognised by the planting of a Walnut tree by the Village Hall. This beautiful tree first flowered for the Millennium and produced walnuts in 2001. (See also 1992 entry and reference to the later threat to this tree in 2001)
1987 - Garden Birds Survey/Birds of Knowle and 1992 - Butterfly Survey Both are available in Knowle Society Archives on Saturday mornings at the Knowle Library
1989 - Pond Survey of members' garden ponds
1990 - Knowle Tree Survey Stage one completed 1990.
1991 - Old Copper Beech at Wilson Arms – felled 27 September. It died over the 2 years following road and pavement works around the tree
1992 - Bat sightings Reported to Warwickshire Wildlife Trust 1992
1992 - St. John’s Close Consultation with the Council’s Landscape Architect over his 'Enhancement Scheme’ for St. John's Close with various tree and shrub plantings, which also helped to soften the two new car parks on either side of the Village Hall. Incredibly, our rejected plea to brick-pave was allowed after the offer of a job-lot of bricks!
Not so with the November 2001 extension, but we thank Solihull Council for saving our threatened Silver Jubilee Walnut tree, planted there in 1987, by realigning the parking spaces.
1993 - Stiles Three stiles in Kixley Line area converted to V shape for the elderly and less agile on these very popular local walks
1993 - Limestone Research into old limestone mine and survey of rare limestone flora on Hampton Road verge. Limestone was burnt in Limestone Kiln fields and carried from Kixley Wharf. Geologist from Coventry University visited various sites in 1997
1993 - Canal Wildflower survey of canal towpath of Grand Union Canal in Knowle area
1996 - Water Butt Scheme for Knowle
1996 - Cable TV Consultations with contractor (Murphy) to ensure hand digging through tree roots
1996 - Hedges Start of Knowle hedgerow survey for CPRE National Survey
1997 - Agenda 21 We are represented on Solihull's Rural Environment Group
1999 - Environment Strategy Solihull Council's document explained in article published by Knowle Parish magazine August 1999
1999 - Trees Veteran Tree Survey
2000 - Bluebells Bluebells rescued from Warwick Road bank realigned footpath opposite British Legion
2001 - Tree Warden for Knowle appointed
2009 - Committee reformed after a short break
2010 - Committee renamed Natural Environment. Campaign to persuade SMBC to purchase land formerly belonging to Thackers Nursury in Hampton Road for use as additional allotment space failed as a result of the severe financial pressures on Council finances
The Reserve has now been returned to Solihull Council after achieving Local Nature Reserve (LNR) status on 18th September 2004.
The two small boggy meadows and Alder copse bordering Purnells Brook beyond Jobs Close Park are all that remain of Burton's Dairy Farm, now a Bryant Estate. The site was saved by Dr Bower, Chairman of the Knowle Society in 1971 and has since been managed by the Society as a nature reserve on behalf of Solihull Council.
The bog meadow to the south-west held Knowle's last remaining population of the lovely Common Spotted Orchid, the other to the north-east was carpeted each springtime with golden Marsh Marigolds (over 150 counted in 1990) and lilac Lady's Smock. It was a hidden and unique survival of old pasture within the medieval Forest of Arden. The equally ancient Purnells Brook was 'The Merebroc’ (Boundary Brook) in Saxon times when it divided the old manors of Knowle and Longdon. Small-leaved Lime headed the list of no less than 15 relic tree and shrub species counted along its banks in the reserve, where ancient woodland flora included Dog's Mercury, Wood Anemone, Yellow Archangel and Bluebell, with bog grasses and rushes, woodland butterflies and birds, which, together with a crowded spawning backwater for toads, frogs and newts amply justified the tiny reserve's inclusion in MacMillan's Guide to Britain's Nature Reserves.
Hundreds of slides were taken by Max Ellerslie throughout 1976, notable for its heat wave and longest drought of the 20th Century, before official recognition in 1977. In the 25 years following. there have been annual Open and Haymaking Days and Guided Walks, visits each term by Dorridge School and by Brownies and Cubs, many work parties to mow, rake and continually repair the post and wire fencing that had been splendidly renewed for us by the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and to clear rubbish - for instance the latest litter blitz on January 27 2002 netted 6 sacks full of mainly bottles, cans and wrappings, plus a rugby football and a stepladder!
Sadly, drainage for the Starbold and Hillmorton estate has caused drying-out of the reserve - and of the frogspawning backwater - with total loss of the orchids (except for just one specimen replanted from outside the reserve into the Jarman garden for safe keeping and which has in its 30th year - perhaps to celebrate Stella's retirement? - miraculously produced four flowering spikes!). Marsh Marigolds too are down from over 150 clumps to just four in 2004, but the fragrant Meadowsweet thrives in their stead.
Cowslips survived only until 1979. Miss Wootton (author of the The History of Knowle) remembered an abundance of them in these fields running up to her home at 144 Station Road - belonging to Burton's Dairy Farm, now St Lawrence Close - before compulsory ploughing in the 2nd World War 1939-45. Fortunately the boggy strip alongside Purnells Brook was unploughable, leaving intact the whole of its special bog flora together with the orchids and Marsh Marigolds.
The Brook lost its springs (see LNR History) in 1972, to be replaced with storm water from the surrounding estates, which has often been contaminated with washing machine effluent from wrongly connected waste systems, causing public outcry, and major problems for Solihull Council.
For many years our Hon. Warden kept the coarse tussock grasses in check with a strimmer donated by Esso, but with his departure vandalism has been more noticeable and the reserve's rare and fragile habitat is being systematically laid bare, along the brook banks where almost every small tree and shrub has been hacked down or pushed over. Bramble has been allowed full rein in the Alder copse to afford added protection to the Alders but we are now very optimistic that the Reserve's new Local Nature Reserve status will inject a new sense of responsibility into a precious wildlife asset that Knowle surely cannot afford to lose.
The glory of Warwickshire is its trees. In mediaeval times Knowle was surrounded by the heaths and woodlands of the great Forest of Arden. Now, where fields have given way to housing estates, we are reminded of our ancient heritage by the magnificent, but isolated and fragile specimens which still abound round Knowle.
Some of the early trees we have planted are now beginning to grow, such as the Evergreen Oak behind the Bank House Hotel and the Copper Beech by the football ground. Major planting was carried out in Job’s Close Park for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977, with the aid of the Knowle school children. For the Society’s own Silver Jubilee in 1987, we planted a specimen Walnut tree near the Village Hall.
After the decimation of the Elm Avenue in Copt Heath from Dutch Elm Disease, we were able to encourage the Council to replant with forest trees, rather than with Silver Birch.
A tree survey, begun in 1987, lists every significant tree in the village; and gives protection, where appropriate, to those most vulnerable in a rapidly changing population.