Tiffield Pocket Park      Print This Page Tiffield Pocket Park (The John Mawby Trail) is a linear park, one kilometre long, based on the disused railway trackbed. Initially running level with the surrounding fields, it eventually runs into a cutting through the local limestone. The general trackside shrubs and trees are blackthorn, hawthorn, crab-apple and ash, whilst various wild plants indicative of soil type grow in the respective clay and limestone areas. An old balancing pond adjacent to the track has been cleared and a dipping platform erected. A weir has been constructed to increase the height of water in the pond. Access Point Access is from the northwest corner of Claydons Field playing area, off the Eastcote Road. Additional access is to be constructed at the Gayton Wilds road bridge. Suitability Access to wheelchair users is currently only from the Claydon’s Field entrance. History Constructed in the late 1860s, the track was a link from Northampton to Banbury. Passing through Towcester and beyond, other branch lines went to Olney and to Stratford upon Avon. The line was abandoned in the 1960s and was purchased by John Mawby, a local businessman and amateur naturalist. John’s intention was to leave the site as a refuge for wildlife, an ideal which was recognised by the award of the status of County Wildlife Site. The Tiffield Pocketeers agreed terms with John to rent and manage the site in 2001. In 2003 they won a County Award in the Improving Your Patch competition for excellent and sustainable management of the site. Management Objectives The general appearance and impression of the site is of a woodland track. The management is designed to ensure this by annually trimming of encroaching undergrowth from the area of the central pathway. Increasing biodiversity is one of the major objectives for the pocket park and, to this end, a variety of habitats have been created. These include a ‘woodland edge’ habitat to encourage plants such as foxglove and cowslips, ‘woodland glades’ and ‘limestone grassland meadows’. The meadows were formed by clear felling areas of the cutting to the northwest end of the track and are very rich in wild flowers; in early summer twayblades and common spotted orchids can be found. For each of these habitats individual management programmes have been drawn up. Alongside these woodland features, the reinstatement of the pond has already dramatically increased the biodiversity in that area. A hazel copse has been planted nearby, and the intention is to plant examples of all native tree and shrub species. Bird boxes have been built and erected for nesting. Logpiles for invertebrates, fungi, etc. are dotted along the track. An application has been made to English Nature to enhance the site’s status to that of Local Nature Reserve. Special Wildlife Birds - Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay and Barn Owl have all been seen on site. Plants - Common Spotted Orchid, Twayblade and Salad Burnet. Animals – Grass Snake, Frog, Stoat, several dragonfly, damselfly and butterfly species. Contact Details For more information contact Martyn Greenaway-Rowe on 01327 352638. back to normal view     Established : 2001 Size : 2.62 hectares/6.47 acres Location : Tiffield Map District/Borough : South Northamptonshire Grid Reference : Between SP698522 and SP704531 Owned By : Mrs Mawby and leased to Tiffield Parish Council for 25 years. Managed By : The Tiffield Pocketeers Partners : Northamptonshire County Council, South Northamptonshire Council, Tiffield Parish Council, Earthwatch, Powergen, BTCV, Farmer Colin Wakelin Common Spotted Orchid