This group subsequently agreed that Butterfly Conservation should become the owners of the site but maintained their momentum to complete the purchase and contribute directly to the creation of a management fund. Now that the site has been secured, the group’s role has become one of direct participation in the management decisions and actions proposed for the site by Butterfly Conservation.

The original aims of the group were to:

1. preserve and manage with expert help/advice one of the very few remaining tracts of ancient countryside for the benefit of wildlife 

2. maintain and encourage the development of natural flora and fauna

3. create a permanent amenity on behalf of the locality, seeking active community involvement in its future.

Millhoppers is a rare example of remnant ancient countryside encircled by arable land. Some of its hedges are thought to date back to Tudor times. It possesses a pond fed by the stream known as Ashen Brook and a public footpath provides access through part of the north-eastern boundary.  The site supports a wide variety of birds and mammals, both enjoying protection from the dense cover.

As the site has not been farmed within living memory, it is likely to contain a rich diversity of native plants, supporting many species of butterfly. In addition, a recent pilot survey revealed 16 old black poplars and possibly three saplings, a species rare in the rest of the county.   

Some say that the strange name of Millhoppers originates from a stream crossing to an old mill – the remains of which are no longer traceable. Others contend that it derives from mill-stones laid in times past (when the entire neighbourhood was much wetter) to enable people to cross the stream more easily.

Over the years, people of all age groups from the surrounding villages of Long Marston, Puttenham, Wilstone, and Gubblecote have visited Millhoppers as a special place in which to enjoy unspoilt countryside – a secluded oasis within a fairly intensively farmed landscape. Their continued access to the site will now be assured.    In addition, the group were delighted to have the enthusiastic endorsement of the project from the eminent naturalists Brian Sawford, and indirectly from the late and sadly missed Gordon Beningfield. 

This local initiative fell within the spirit of Agenda 21, sponsored by the Government, which encourages community involvement in locally significant environmental projects. Support from Dacorum, who generously provided 75% of the purchase price with the remainder coming from Butterfly Conservation, ultimately enabled the site to be acquired consistent with the original objectives. Hemel Hempstead Solicitors Picton Smeathmans were also much appreciated for their economic support. 

We hope that a visit to Millhoppers will be one that remains in your memory for many years to come, and that this wonderful habitat will come to welcome you as a regular visitor, and friend.

Article by the 8 interested individuals.

Recording of butterflies I do on a weekly basis from the beginning of April to the end of September each year and I now have records going back to 1998.  (This I can only do when the temperature is above 13C and between 11am and 4pm) a universal recording template to which all recorders adhere.  

Over this period there has been a management plan in place which we have tried to maintain, sometimes with difficulty because of lack of manpower. That management plan included grazing, which initially was provided by cattle and in the last three years, by sheep. But much cutting has been done by the use of a huge cutter driven by hand and involving removal of cut material. That is very hard work indeed!

The reserve provides excellent habitat for grassland butterflies, including meadow browns, marbled whites, large, small and Essex skippers and a large population of the beautiful ringlet. These seem to do well whatever the weather in the winter, but the impact of long periods of heavy rain in the spring and summer can be felt with the success, or lack of, butterflies like the common blue and the Vanessa’s (e.g. the peacock, the red admiral and the tortoiseshell)

2010 showed a huge increase in the common blue where hitherto numbers had been relatively low. The winter of 2010/2011 was particularly severe and may well have had an impact on the common blue in 2011, although a rather poor summer could also have played a part in a lower count for that year.

We also see certain migrants, like the painted lady, which visits us from the continent when warm and strong winds bring thousands to England.  In all I have recorded 21 species of butterflies in both 2010 and 2011.

There are many moths to be recorded, which sadly we have had no opportunity to record in the last 6 years or so, but the day time flying moths such as the carpets, the cinnabar and the 5/6/spot burnets are commonly recorded. Dragon flies, such as the white legged damsel and the hawkers are common.

Black caps, sparrow hawks and many other birds nest on Millhoppers and many plant species, such as the marsh marigold and some orchids add to the diversity on our reserve. And we must not forget that we have 16 Black Poplars, which need careful management.

I am sure that I miss a great deal but would be delighted for any sightings that anybody has to be added to the ever growing list.

Article by Margaret Noakes.  January 2012.

The land was up for sale; land which had been variously used for The Boy Scouts and for the grazing of horses and never used as farmland as far as was known.  A haven for local villagers, Millhoppers had been enjoyed by young and old for many many years. It came to the notice of members of Butterfly Conservation and was recognised as a wild life site by Dacorum Borough Council.

After a lot of research  and a great deal of consideration, the Branch applied for funding from Dacorum towards the cost of buying the land, with an additional contribution from  Herts. and Middx. Branch. The National Organisation  approved of the sale and the deal was done.

The artist and writer, Gordon Benningfield,  as a local branch member happily agreed to perform the opening ceremony in June 1998, but sadly died weeks before.

We dedicated the reserve to his name, and had the huge privilege of his wife and daughters coming in his place, to perform the task that he was so keen to do himself.

The reserve is still a very special place and hopefully will remain so for many years to come. We have over 21 species of butterflies that regularly breed on the reserve and between the months of April and September a weekly count is done, with records now going back since the day the reserve was opened.

 Margaret Noakes   

The strange name possibly originates from a stream-crossing to an old mill long since untraceable. Others contend that it derives from mill-stones laid to enable people to cross the stream. The entire area then was much wetter.

Millhoppers is a rare example of a remnant of ancient countryside encircled by arable land. It contains a large section of unimproved grassland. Some of the hedges are thought to date back to Tudor times. It possesses a pond fed by a stream and a public footpath provides access on one side

The site has a large stand of blackthorn scrub which provides good cover for birds and mammals. There are 16 black poplar trees in the hedgerow. This a nationally rare tree but not uncommon locally.

As the site has not been farmed within living memory there is potential for a rich diversity of plantlife to support butterflies. Thus our main efforts have been directed to cutting and raking off grass. In addition the vigorous black thorn scrub and large banks of nettles have to be contained.

So far nectar plants are emerging and the butterfly species count, although not containing rarities, stand at 21.

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