Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s involvement at Church Farm began with a wildlife survey. We advise many farmers and landowners, providing guidance on conservation issues and sharing a common enthusiasm for wildlife. So it was with Philip Elsey.
Church Farm sits on a minor tributary of the River Blyth and has the wonderful variety of habitats typical of a traditional Suffolk farm. He bequeathed Church Farm to Suffolk Wildlife Trust to secure its future as a wildlife haven.
![Suffolk Wildlife Trust](/sites/default/files/styles/scaled_default/public/2018-09/Phillip%20Elsey%20swt%20sq%20web.jpg?itok=D8IjNsSd)
Phillip Elsey
Under Philip Elsey’s stewardship, nature had been allowed to take the lead and wildlife had flourished. Our ownership of the farm since 2003 has fulfilled the wishes of a man who cared about the natural world.
In 2009, thanks to Philip Elsey’s generosity in his Will we were able to buy the neighbouring flower-rich marshes, to bring them into our care and extend his farmland nature reserve further down the valley.