COPPETT Hill Common Trust Ltd and the charity, the Friends of Coppett Hill have come together to buy an alpine tractor and mower for the benefit of Coppett Hill Local Nature Reserve.

"We are excited that the trust and the friends have got together to buy the new equipment" says chairman of the trust, Martin Rowberry, "As part of the Higher Level Stewardship scheme with Natural England we are looking to improve the species rich grassland and mosaics on top of the hill and having this equipment will give us much more flexibility in what we do and when for both the needs of wildlife and biodiversity. The new equipment will allow us to cover the grassy areas of the hill more easily so we can mow coarse or tussocky grass, brambles and gorse to encourage the young grass and the wildflowers instead."

"I am really pleased to be helping the trust and the hill" said Robin Hulse, chairman of the Friends of Coppett Hill "this is what the charity was set up to do and we look forward to a long and positive relationship with the trust in the future. The tractor will be used to mow brambles and coarse grass to fulfil the grant requirements of the Higher Level Stewardship Grant from Natural England and help manage the nature reserve."

Patrick Chatterton Company secretary for the trust adds "We looked very carefully at the options available and the alpine tractor is particularly suited to Coppett Hill since it has a low centre of gravity with 4-wheel drive and the mower will allow us to mow the path margins more easily. It will also allow us to be much more flexible and do work at the right time of year in the right kind of weather for the needs of wildlife and biodiversity. The grants Coppett Hill Common Trust now receives are directed towards improving species habitat and biodiversity, so getting this equipment is an important part of our commitment to managing the hill."

Coppett Hill is one of the largest local nature reserves in Herefordshire at 250 acres and the hill forms part of the iconic view from Symonds Yat.

For further information contact Martin Rowberry on 01600 890075 or Patrick Chatterton on 01600 891308