Bedford Purlieus NNR

Bedford Purlieus is managed as a National Nature Reserve [ [http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/nnr/nnr_details.asp?nnr_name=&C=5&Habitat=0&natural_area=&local_team=0&spotlight_reserve=0&X=&NNR_ID=251 Bedford Purlieus NNR] Natural England (retrieved 27 May 2008), declared under Section 19 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949] and Site of Special Scientific Interest [ [http://www.english-nature.org.uk/Special/sssi/sssi_details.cfm?sssi_id=1000074 Bedford Purlieus SSSI] Natural England (retrieved 31 May 2008), notified under Section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981] by the Forestry Commission, a non-ministerial government department established in 1919. It is situated west of the village of Wansford in the unitary authority area of Peterborough in the United Kingdom.

Although most NNRs are managed by Natural England, 88 are wholly or partly managed by other bodies approved by Council, under Section 35 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The Natural England Capital Grants Scheme helps with the management and upkeep of these reserves. The 514 acre (208 ha) site's name is derived from its connection with the Dukes of Bedford, who have been associated with the area since Norman times. "Purlieus" describes land that was once part of a Royal Forest and is still subject to certain forest laws. [Barkham, John [http://www.jstor.org/pss/3038022 Review of] "Bedford Purlieus: Its History, Ecology and Management" by George Frederick Peterken and Robert Colin Welch (eds.) Journal of Biogeography, vol.3 no.3 (pp.322-323) September 1976]

References

ee also

*Castor Hanglands NNR
*Barnack Hills & Holes NNR
*Rockingham Forest

External links

* [http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/Recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/EnglandNorthamptonshireRockinghamForestBedfordPurlieusNationalNatureReserve Bedford Purlieus NNR]
* [http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/Recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/EnglandNorthamptonshireRockinghamForestSoutheyWood Southey Wood]