This little gem of a reserve of about seven acres is owned by well-known farmer and local historian, Don Bramley and is managed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.
The reserve has been fenced off in recent years to keep motorbikes away from the ancient turf and grasslands that hold such a rich and varied flora.
The reserve basically consists of a very steep slope with shallow soil that runs down to an area that was formerly a low-lying fen, which has suffered from a drying-out process allegedly caused by drainage schemes on adjacent property.

Where once Grasshopper Warblers reeled amongst the reeds, nettles now vie with cleavers for dominance. There is some hope that co-operation between the Trust and other landowners may lead to restoration of the marsh, but for the moment, it is just a distant memory.

This fragment of ancient undisturbed limestone pasture is a comparative rarity in an area of intensive farming, and is ablaze with colourful flowers in the month of June, including Common Spotted orchid Dactylorchis fuchsii, with a very small number of Bee Orchids amongst a sea of Ox-eye Daisies.
The root of the Wild Liquorice also grows on the reserve, which was once chewed by Victorian schoolchildren as a tasty snack, inspiring a local schoolmaster to start producing Pontefract cakes. Other plants include Sainfoin, Mountain St John's Wort, Twayblade, and the bright blue Meadow Cranesbill.

It is leased to the Trust under an agreement dated 6th April 1971, and is situated at the end of New Lane, Sherburn-in-Elmet. At the end of the track that forms the continuation of New Lane, turn left and walk down a slight incline to the kissing gate that forms the boundary of the reserve.

The flora is a different matter however. The management of the grasslands has included clear felling of hawthorn and ash saplings and there is a plan to let a hardy breed of sheep graze on the reserve to supplement the ongoing mowing strategy.

Butterflies regularly recorded on the reserve include Orange-tip, Peacock, Meadow Brown, Wall and Common Blue.

The birdlife is not spectacular by any stretch of the imagination, but I can recall seeing Snipe and Sedge Warblers in the marsh when we used to live in Sherburn in the 1980's, and I expect Grey Herons are still regularly seen in the area. The only rare bird that I have heard of having been seen at the Willows was a Bee-eater seen by Meg Ryan of Thorpe Willoughby, about six years ago.

Anyone wishing to join the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust can contact them at 10 Toft Green, York YO1 6JT, or Email them atyorkshirewt@cix.co.uk.

Graham Todd