20 Profile of a Naturalist Geoffrey Arthur Pyman MBE (1920-1999)
The largest block is a near-contiguous series of eight reserves between Little Baddow and Woodham
Walter, from Pheasanthouse Farm in the north to Scrubs Wood in the south. The range of habitats
covered is diverse - a mosaic of ancient and secondary woodland, heathland and acid grassland,
streams and bogs. West of the main block lies Blake's Wood, managed under agreement with the
National Trust, and at 104 acres a very significant area of ancient coppice woodland. Despite (or
perhaps even one result of) the Great Storm of 1987, which felled some 4000 trees, Blake's Wood is
one of the premier Essex woods for its massed displays of Bluebells and Wood Anemones. A little
to the south, adjacent to Danbury Common, lies Hitchcock's Meadows, a series of small, flower-rich
meadows, renowned for their Green-winged Orchids, Autumn Lady's-tresses and views over the
Thames to the North Downs.
Just off the main Ridge, a couple of other reserves benefited considerably from Geoff's close attention.
Waterhall Meadows, a small area of flood meadows next to the Sandon Brook, are known for their
diverse flora, including Pepper-saxifrage and Devil's-bit Scabious, and insect populations. White-
legged Damselfly, at one of its few Essex localities, is indicative of the quality of water in the Brook,
which is also one of the last known sites in the county for native Freshwater Crayfish. Finally, there
is Thrift Wood at Bicknacre. This superb little Hornbeam wood is noted for its mosses, including
three species of Sphagnum, and dense patches of Common Cow-wheat, which have successfully
supported a re-introduccd population of Heath Fritillaries since 1984.
All these reserves need managing to maintain and enhance their wildlife value. And to judge the
success, or otherwise, of management, monitoring is necessary. In all of these areas, Geoff was
active - advising the managers, obtaining the necessary permissions, planning more detailed and
specific projects and initiatives, and reporting the outcomes for wildlife (see, for example, Geoff's
annual report on the year at Danbury in the winter 1998/9 edition of Essex Wildlife, which covered
topics as diverse as dormice and badgers, woodland bird declines, orchid counts, glow-worms,
crane flies and millipedes!). The many voluntary wardens and helpers whom Geoff has encouraged
and coached over the years will feel the loss of his support as keenly as any of us.
Postscript
The Essex Wildlife Trust is going from strength to strength, due in no small part to Geoff's influence.
He was a 'grand old man' but displayed none of the reactionary attributes often associated with
such. Undoubtedly he would have viewed the prospects of the purchase of Abbotts Hall and its
conversion to environmentally-friendly farming and coastal habitat recreation with as much excitement
as we do. For helping to engender that willingness to push forward the frontiers of conservation,
Geoff, we thank you.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 17 (2000)