{{Short description|Site of Special Scientific Interest in North Yorkshire, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}} {{Use British English|date=January 2020}} {{Infobox SSSI |name=Quarry Moor |image=Quarry Moor (52).JPG |image_caption=Former quarry face at Quarry Moor |image_size=250 |aos=North Yorkshire |interest=Biological |gridref={{gbmappingsmall|SE309693}} |coordinates={{coord|54.1182|N|1.5260|W|region:GB_scale:25000|display=inline,title}} |displaymap=North Yorkshire |area={{convert|7.5927|ha|km2 sqmi|sigfig=4}} |notifydate=1 May 1986 |map=[https://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=sssiIndex&query=HYPERLINK%3D%271003865%27 Defra Magicmap] |enref= }} '''Quarry Moor''' is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSI, at the south edge of Ripon, North Yorkshire, England, and adjacent to the A61 road. It contains an outcrop of Magnesian Limestone, exposed by former quarrying. 255 million years ago this limestone was the peripheral sediment of a tropical sea. The land was donated in 1945 to the people of Ripon by the town's mayor, Alderman Thomas Fowler Spence, a varnish manufacturer. The land was notified as an SSSI in 1986 because its calcareous grassland supported a large diversity of plant species. The site features a Schedule 8 protected plant, thistle broomrape.<ref name="NE details Quarry Moor" /> The land is protected as a nature reserve, and it is also managed as a recreational area. Therefore, its calcareous grass area is fenced off for protection and study, but it also contains a car park, information signs, a children's play area, accessible paths, benches, and dog waste bins.
==Site history== The strata of the quarry face at the western side of the Quarry Moor site are the remains of a Permian shoreline of 255 million years past. Sediments from the tropical Zechstein Sea ultimately became the Magnesian Limestone outcrop of north-east England, part of which is exposed here. Limestone has been quarried here for at least six centuries, and used for construction.<ref name="Quarry Moor noticeboard" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Dooks |first1=Brian |title=History of city's wife sales and sin eaters |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/latest-news/history-of-city-s-wife-sales-and-sin-eaters-1-2589324 |access-date=26 December 2019 |work=Yorkshire Post |date=7 November 2005 |archive-date=26 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226195700/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/latest-news/history-of-city-s-wife-sales-and-sin-eaters-1-2589324 |url-status=dead }}</ref> For example, in the 15th century the walls of the 12th century Chapel of St Mary Magdalen, Ripon, were refaced with blocks of limestone from Quarry Moor.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Chapel of St Mary Magdalene, Ripon |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001608/19170328/071/0005 |access-date=31 December 2019 |work=Harrogate Herald |agency=British Newspaper Archive |date=28 March 1917 |page=5 col5}}</ref> By the 1870s there were lime kilns on the site, making quicklime for mortar.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Walbran |first1=J.R. |title=A Guide to Ripon and Harrogate |date=1871 |publisher=A. Johnson & Co. |url=https://forebears.io/england/yorkshire/ripon |access-date=26 December 2019}}</ref>
In September 1943, following the "use of land for army training," botanist George Taylor reported: "Serious disturbance has been observed on Quarry Moor ... where last year ''Spiranthes spiralis'' Koch <nowiki>[or lady's tresses orchid]</nowiki> occurred in some quantity and the reappearance of this very local species on this site is problematical." He checked the site again in 1944, and said, "The work of destruction has proceeded apace during the intervening months. The common is now almost completely excavated, and all vestige of plant life - except at the narrow margins - has disappeared."<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Taylor |first1=George, D.Sc., F.L.S.. |title=Farnham Mires: A Notable Botanical Locality |journal=The North Western Naturalist |date=1944 |issue=March, June |pages=26–28 |publisher=T. Buncle & Co. Ltd., Arbroath}}</ref> As of 2020, the lady's tresses orchid is "becoming increasingly rare in the north of the UK."<ref>{{cite web |title=Autumn lady's tresses |url=https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/autumn-ladys-tresses |website=plantlife.org.uk |publisher=Plantlife |access-date=7 January 2020 |date=2020 |archive-date=6 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706123421/https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/autumn-ladys-tresses |url-status=dead }}</ref> The quarry was closed in the 1950s, and the pits were infilled in the 1970s.<ref name="Quarry Moor noticeboard" /> The infilling was carried out by the British Army, using 190 tonnes of stone supplied by Concrete4U and Lightwater Quarries.<ref name="Concrete4U" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Lightwater Quarries & Quarry Moor Local Nature Reserve |url=https://www.lightwaterquarries.com/lightwater-quarries-quarry-moor-local-nature-reserve/ |website=lightwaterquarries.com |publisher=Lightwater Quarries |access-date=26 December 2019 |date=12 September 2014}}</ref> In this area there is water-soluble gypsum mixed with the limestone deposits, and the occasional collapse of cavities left by this gypsum layer has been blamed for the local sinkholes which have been appearing for centuries past.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Winpenny |first1=David |title=Secret Ripon |date=2017 |publisher=Amberley Publishing |isbn=9781445672168 |url=https://www.on-magazine.co.uk/yorkshire/stories/the-mystery-of-the-ripon-sinkholes/ |access-date=26 December 2019}}</ref>
===Thomas Fowler Spence, donor=== Quarry Moor is now held in trust for the Ripon people, having been donated in 1945 by Alderman T.F. Spence.<ref name="Quarry Moor noticeboard" /> The site then measured {{convert|24|acre|ha|}} "to be kept for Ripon children for all time."<ref>{{cite news |title=Gift to Ripon |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000687/19450530/168/0006 |access-date=28 December 2019 |work=Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer |page=1 col7|agency=British Newspaper Archive |date=30 May 1945}}</ref> Thomas Fowler Spence (1878–1949)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=bnoNBWPbf8gBOhDWdZNDlQ&scan=1|title=Index entry|access-date=28 December 2019|work=FreeBMD|publisher=ONS}} Births Sep 1878 Spence Thomas Fowler Ripon 9a 73</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=ncCJFit4O0Fxq23SEnXjXQ&scan=1|title=Index entry|access-date=28 December 2019|work=FreeBMD|publisher=ONS}} Deaths Mar 1949 Spence Thomas F. 70 Claro 2c 173</ref> lived at Red Hills Grange, was Mayor of Ripon between 1927 and 1929, and was managing director of T.R. Williamsons of Ripon, which made varnish.<ref>{{cite web |title=Grewelthorpe: Spence family |url=http://www.grewelthorpe.org.uk/Family-History/spence-family |website=grewelthorpe.org.uk |publisher=Grewelthorpe Village community |access-date=26 December 2019}}</ref><ref>Census of England and Wales 1911 schedule 26 Thomas Fowler Spence 1 North Parade Ripon</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Alderman T.F. Spence |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000687/19490321/169/0006 |access-date=28 December 2019 |work=Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer |agency=British Newspaper Archive |date=21 March 1949 |page=1 col5}}</ref>
==Site location and designation== thumb|right|Woodland path, Quarry Moor, 2019 Quarry Moor nature reserve is a {{convert|7.5927|ha|km2 sqmi|sigfig=4}} biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Geological Conservation Review site (GCR),<ref name="NE details Quarry Moor" >{{cite web |last1=Newton |first1=Joanee |title=Designated sites view: Quarry Moor SSSI |url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S1003865&SiteName=moor&countyCode=30&responsiblePerson= |website=designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk |publisher=Natural England |access-date=20 December 2019 |location=Harrogate SE 309 693 |date=1 May 1986}}</ref> consisting of "species-rich calcareous grassland" over a scant soil covering, plus limestone rock, scrub, and woodland on raised areas and on the perimeter of the site.<ref name="Quarry Moor NE citation" >{{cite web |last1=Newton |first1=Joanne |title=Quarry Moor, citation |url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/PDFsForWeb/Citation/1003865.pdf |website=designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk |publisher=Natural England |access-date=26 December 2019 |ref=1003865 |date=1986}}</ref> It lies at the southern edge of Ripon, with an entrance on the west side of the A61 roundabout.<ref name="Defra Magicmap" >{{cite web |title=Magic Map Quarry Moor |url=https://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=sssiIndex&query=HYPERLINK%3D%271003865%27 |website=magic.defra.gov.uk |publisher=Defra |access-date=26 December 2019 |date=2019}}</ref> Facilities include information boards, accessible paths, informal paths, benches, and dog toilet bins,<ref name="Quarry Moor noticeboard" /> besides a fenced-off wildflower meadow, and a children's play area in the north-east corner with a public car park.<ref name="Concrete4U" >{{cite web |title=Lightwater Quarries & Quarry Moor Local Nature Reserve |url=https://www.concrete4u.co.uk/lightwater-quarries-quarry-moor-local-nature-reserve/ |website=concrete4u.co.uk |publisher=Concrete4U |access-date=26 December 2019 |date=11 September 2014}}</ref>
The site was notified on 1 May 1986, being of interest for the large number of plant species supported by the calcareous grassland habitat.<ref name="Quarry Moor NE citation" /> The notified features of the site are the Schedule 8 protected plant,<ref>{{cite web |title=Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, schedule 8 |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/69/schedule/8 |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=26 December 2019 |date=2011}}</ref> thistle broomrape, and the chalky grassland.<ref name="NE details Quarry Moor" /> The site was designated in 2001 as a Local Nature Reserve.<ref name="Quarry Moor noticeboard" /> It is one of a number of SSSIs in the Harrogate region.<ref>{{cite web |title=Appendix III: wildlife sites in Harrogate district |url=https://www.harrogate.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/172/appendix_3_wildlife_sites.pdf |website=Harrogate.gov.uk (cached) |publisher=Harrogate Council |access-date=24 December 2019 |location=Harrogate |date=July 2009}}</ref> The others are Bishop Monkton Ings,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Newton |first1=Joanne |title=Designated sites view: Bishop Monkton Ings SSSI |url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S1001101&SiteName=ings&countyCode=&responsiblePerson= |website=designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk |publisher=Natural England |access-date=20 December 2019 |date=1 October 1986}}</ref> Brimham Rocks,<ref name="Details, BR SSSI" >{{cite web |title=Designated sites view, Brimham Rocks SSSI, details |url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S1002279&SiteName=rock&countyCode=&responsiblePerson= |website=designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk |publisher=Natural England |access-date=27 January 2020 |date=19 February 1988}}</ref> Cow Myers,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Newton |first1=Joanne |title=Designated sites view: Cow Myers SSSI |url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S1002386&SiteName=cow&countyCode=&responsiblePerson= |website=designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk |publisher=Natural England |access-date=20 December 2019 |location=Harrogate|date=26 January 1984}}</ref> Farnham Mires,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Newton |first1=Joanne |title=Designated sites view: Farnham Mires SSSI |url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S1004135&SiteName=farnham%20mires&countyCode=&responsiblePerson= |website=designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk |publisher=Natural England |access-date=20 December 2019 |date=13 January 1984}}</ref> Hack Fall Wood,<ref>{{cite web |title=Designated sites view: Hack Fall Wood SSSI |url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S1002423&SiteName=Hack&countyCode=&responsiblePerson=&SeaArea=&IFCAArea= |website=designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk |publisher=Natural England |access-date=20 December 2019 |date=16 October 1989}}</ref> Hay-a-Park,<ref>{{cite web |title=Designated sites view: Hay-a-Park site detail |url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S2000044&SiteName=Hay-a&countyCode=&responsiblePerson= |website=designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk |publisher=Natural England |access-date=20 December 2019 |location=Harrogate |date=15 June 1995}}</ref> Kirk Deighton<ref name="NE Kirk Deighton details" >{{cite web |last1=Dickinson |first1=Michelle |title=Kirk Deighton SSSI, details |url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S2000441&SiteName=kirk&countyCode=&responsiblePerson= |website=designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk |publisher=Natural England |access-date=16 February 2020 |date=16 August 2000}}</ref> Mar Field Fen,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Newton |first1=Joanne |title=Designated sites view: Mar Field Fen SSSI |url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S1002439&SiteName=mar%20field%20fen&countyCode=&responsiblePerson= |website=designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk |publisher=Natural England |access-date=20 December 2019 |location=Harrogate SE 222 819 |date=2 October 1988}}</ref> and Ripon Parks.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Newton |first1=Joanne |title=Natural England designated sites view: Ripon Parks SSSI |url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S1003629&SiteName=ripon&countyCode=&responsiblePerson= |website=Designatedsites.naturalengland.co.uk |publisher=Natural England |access-date=20 December 2019 |date=1983}}</ref>
Quarry Moor is funded by Natural England, via Defra Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, Harrogate Borough Council, Ripon City Partnership and (until 2012) Yorkshire Forward.<ref name="Quarry Moor noticeboard" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Biodiversity and wildlife |url=https://www.harrogate.gov.uk/info/20092/activities_and_facilities_in_our_parks/419/biodiversity_and_wildlife |website=Harrogate.gov.uk |publisher=Harrogate Borough Council |access-date=26 December 2019 |date=2019}}</ref> As of 2019 it was cared for by the Alderman T.F. Spence Committee, which consists of six Ripon City councillors, and six members of the public.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ripon City Council: Alderman TF Spence Committee |url=http://www.riponcity.gov.uk/meetings/alderman-tf-spence-committee-agendas/index.html |website=riponcity.gov.uk |publisher=Ripon City Council |access-date=26 December 2019 |date=2019 |archive-date=1 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191201072032/http://www.riponcity.gov.uk/meetings/alderman-tf-spence-committee-agendas/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Charity directory: the Alderman Tom F. Spence Charity |url=https://www.charitycheckout.co.uk/charity/the-alderman-tom-f-spence-charity/ |website=charitycheckout.co.uk |publisher=Charity Checkout |access-date=26 December 2019 |date=2019 |archive-date=26 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226163826/https://www.charitycheckout.co.uk/charity/the-alderman-tom-f-spence-charity/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Significant site content== ===Flora=== On the chalky grassland, alongside sheep's fescue and meadow oat-grass, grow rough hawkbit, hoary plantain, purging flax, thyme, glaucous sedge, yellow oat, quaking grass and red fescue. Among these are red bartsia, centaury, yellow-wort, bee orchid and felwort or autumn gentian.<ref name="Quarry Moor NE citation" />
On other grassland here, the pH is more neutral, and the vegetation can grow more strongly. For example, there are various herbs: common spotted-orchid, great burnet, restharrow, marjoram, cowslip, hay rattle, greater burnet-saxifrage, basil, cross-wort, ox-eye daisy, knapweed, self-heal, lady's bedstraw, bird's-foot trefoil<ref name="Quarry Moor NE citation" /><ref name="NE sign grassland" /> and primrose,<ref name="Quarry Moor noticeboard" /> all growing alongside slender false-broom and false-oat grass.<ref name="Quarry Moor NE citation" />
Under the sycamore, wych elm, yew and ash in the wooded areas,<ref name="NE details Quarry Moor" /><ref name="Quarry Moor NE citation" /> goldilocks and sanicle can sometimes be found. More common there, are: dog's mercury, hairy St John's-wort, slender false-broom again, and wood avens.<ref name="Quarry Moor NE citation" /> <gallery class="center"> 20120816Ulmus glabra06.jpg|wych elm Tistelsnultrot - Orobanche Reticulata (28).jpg|Thistle broomrape (protected plant) 20130616Ophrys apifera7.jpg|bee orchid 20150416Ranunculus auricomus1.jpg|goldilocks 20170414Sanicula europaea3.jpg|sanicle Зубчатка обыкновенная 2.jpg|red bartsia </gallery>
===Fauna=== Quarry Moor's scrub provides a breeding site for whitethroat and willow warbler, summer visitors from Africa. The site also supports the resident treecreeper, wren and blackcap population. There is a bird feeding station and a bird hide in the south-east corner of the site. Insects breeding onsite include the brimstone butterfly, and the six-spot burnet moth, whose food plant is bird's-foot trefoil.<ref name="Quarry Moor noticeboard" /><ref name="NE sign grassland" /> Mammal sightings at Quarry Moor have included deer, vole, weasel and fox.<ref name="Quarry Moor noticeboard" >{{cite web |title=Welcome to Quarry Moor |url=https://riponcity.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/welcome-to-quarry-moor.pdf |website=raiponcity.files.wordpress.com |publisher=Ripon City Council |access-date=26 December 2019 |date=August 2012}}</ref>
<gallery class="center"> Common whitethroat, Sylvia communis at Zaagkuildrift Road near Kgomo Kgomo (37833017606).jpg|whitethroat File:Capreolus (js)11.jpg|roe deer Erdmaus (Microtus agrestis) jh02.jpg|field vole Mustela-nivalis.jpg|weasel 'Freda' Fox (15225213661).jpg|fox Gonepteryx rhamni Twisting Wings in Courtship Flight.jpg|brimstone butterfly </gallery>
==Maintenance== The major aspect of the site for the SSSI is the limestone grassland, because it can support "a rich variety of plants and animals, including a number of rare plant species." Maintenance of this section is needed to prevent the growth of rank grass and scrub, which would eventually dominate the area and affect the site's biodiversity. Light winter grazing is recommended, to prevent the dominance of scrub, and to achieve a "diverse mosaic of tall and short vegetation" in order to support biodiversity. Thus traditional hay cutting is carried out, and the grassland is grazed by ponies, cattle and native sheep such as Hebrideans.<ref name="NE sign grassland" >{{cite web |title=The grassland of Quarry Moor |url=https://riponcity.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/grassland-of-quarry-moor.pdf |website=riponcity.files.wordpress.com/ |publisher=Ripon City Council |access-date=28 December 2019 |date=August 2012}}</ref><ref name="NE maintenance Quarry Moor" /> Fertiliser is not recommended because limestone grasslands support species which are adapted to low-nutrient habitats.<ref name="NE maintenance Quarry Moor" >{{cite web |title=English Nature: views about management (Quarry Moor) |url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/PDFsForWeb/VAM/1003865.pdf |website=designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk |publisher=Natural England |access-date=26 December 2019 |ref=1003865 |date=6 October 2004}}</ref>
==Development and risk assessment== When the calcareous grassland of this site was assessed for Natural England in 2011 it was judged to be in favourable condition, although the biodiversity was borderline,<ref name="NE assessment Quarry Moor" /> and scrub (hawthorn and ivy)<ref name="NE details Quarry Moor" /> was beginning to encroach on the grassland. The woodland area was judged favourable.<ref name="NE assessment Quarry Moor" >{{cite web |last1=Newton |first1=Joanne |title=Designated sites view: condition of SSSI Units for Site Quarry Moor SSSI |url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/ReportUnitCondition.aspx?SiteCode=S1003865&ReportTitle=Quarry%20Moor%20SSSI |website=designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk |publisher=Natural England |access-date=26 December 2019 |ref=S1003865 |date=5 July 2011}}</ref>
English Nature has published a list of "operations likely to damage the special interest." Item 27, ''Recreational or other activities likely to damage or disturb features of interest,'' may be pertinent since the park is also maintained for public recreational use.<ref name="NE risk ops Quarry Moor" >{{cite web |title=Operations likely to damage the special interest, Quarry Moor |url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/PDFsForWeb/Consent/1003865.pdf |website=desugbatedsites, naturalengland.org.uk |publisher=Natural England |access-date=26 December 2019 |ref=O LD1003865}}</ref> Natural England prohibits the picking of wild flowers, and the dropping of litter. Dogs are required to be kept on the lead, and dog litter bins are provided.<ref name="Quarry Moor noticeboard" /> Meanwhile, in point 9.2 of a letter granting a 2018 planning application for houses near the SSSI, a site assessor noted that dogs were being exercised on the protected calcareous grassland, dog waste was being left in situ, and "litter, vandalism and degradation are also frequent."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nowak |first1=Jean |title=Appeal made by Whitcliffe Grange Farm Partnership |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/719180/18-06-25_Revised_DL_IR_West_Lane_Ripon_3181320.pdf |website=assets.publishing.service.gov.uk |publisher=Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government |access-date=26 December 2019 |ref=Application 16/05621/EIAMAJ |date=25 June 2018}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{cite web |title=About Quarry Moor |url=http://www.riponcity.gov.uk/meetings/quarry-moor/quarry-moor/index.html |website=riponcity.gov.uk |publisher=Ripon City Council |access-date=26 December 2019 |archive-date=24 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124091205/http://www.riponcity.gov.uk/meetings/quarry-moor/quarry-moor/index.html |url-status=dead }} * {{cite journal |last1=Smith |first1=D.B. |title=The Permian sabkha sequence at Quarry Moor, Ripon, Yorkshire |journal=Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society |date=1976 |volume=40 |pages=639–652 |doi=10.1144/pygs.40.4.639 |isbn=9789401112048 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-GqvBQAAQBAJ&dq=quarry+moor+ripon+history&pg=PT322 |access-date=26 December 2019|url-access=subscription }} {{Commons category|Quarry Moor}}
Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in North Yorkshire Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest notified in 1986 Category:Ripon