Working estate adapting to climate change

On a working estate like Dudmaston, near Bridgnorth, work to maintain the site is constantly happening.

From looking after the hall and the nearby Comer Woods, to the gardens, park and play areas, there is a lot of land to keep an eye on.

However, staff at the National Trust site are having to adapt to the recent and prolonged hot and dry weather, and longer-term climate change.

"For us as an estate, we need to consider how we move forwards with this warmer weather," said Abi Leyland-Richardson, senior visitor experience officer.

Like so many sites in the region, the concern about fires is high.

Because of this, she said rangers at the estate were working a lot on protecting the landscape in the dry weather.

"The wildfire risk here is really quite high," said Leyland-Richardson.

"When I was here on Sunday, I was keeping an eye on the fires burning in Enville because they were so close to our woodland, and that's quite a scary thing for us."

The fire, off Morfe Lane, about six miles away from Dudmaston, affected about 20 acres of land and started accidentally.

"We've got lots of species we need to protect," said Leyland-Richardson.

"We're really just asking people not to bring barbecues, and take their litter home because even a foil packet in the right conditions can spark a fire."

Outside of the fire risk, staff have to think about what the estate looks like - grass and flowers are being affected by the lack of rainfall.

"Our planting, a lot of it is herbaceous perennials which are suffering, so we might have to think about planting for dry conditions, something hardier like the lavender."

Not only that, the weather has meant changes to staff care.

"We had to make sure we put our volunteers and staff safety first, we've had to cancel walks, we've had to provide extra water and shade and breaks for everyone," she said.

"One day was 36 degrees and we were down in the meadow.

"Climate is something we do need to consider here at Dudmaston."

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