Rcommon with us and those who contributed research during the

Transcription

1 Chilterns Commons Network Winter Spring Welcome....to the spring 2011 e-bulletin SPRING FORWARD...and welcome to the first newsletter of First and definitely foremost is a huge thank you to Rachel and the team for submitting the excellent Heritage Lottery Bid for funding a Commons Officer post and four year project. I cannot think how it could have been bettered. It has been a refreshing and salutary experience to have seen what can be done with enthusiasm, professionalism, dedication and some humour. Thanks also to all the many partners and volunteers whose contributions and ideas over months and years have been the reason so much work has gone into this project so far. Now we wait until June for the result! The bid was submitted bang on schedule on 28th February and will go to the HLF committee meeting on 14th June. The outcome will be known shortly after, and then the work really starts. Sun shining, blackthorn flowering, hawthorns leafing up, and muntjack munching my little plants, another common year begins. John Willson Chairman, Chilterns Commons Network Totternhoe Knolls - venue for this year s Commons Day Photo: John Morris HLF bid behind the scenes support achel and I would like to thank all those volunteers who helped with the HLF bid, including those who shared old photos of their Rcommon with us and those who contributed research during the Development Phase. Particular thanks go to Ross Osborn, Hilary Beck- Burridge, Paula Lacey and Liz Hamilton. Thanks also to Ellen Dempster who continued to give advice and assistance after leaving the National Trust. Ross and Hilary investigated some of the tiny commons at the southern end of the Chilterns. This followed on from work which Ross started the previous year and the Commons Project will build on this initial work by researching the former extent of the commons which survive only as ponds or road verges to improve our understanding of the drove routes and connectivity of tracts of common land. Paula trawled through old county floras for Bedfordshire and Oxfordshire which has provided an insight into the botanical species recorded on commons years ago and the associated habitats. This indicates the species which may be dormant in the seed bank and be encouraged to return if former open habitats are restored. It will also help direct new species recording, lacking on many commons. Liz has tracked the changing extent of Berkhamsted and Ashridge Estate commons from early maps and found some wonderful quotes about the importance of these commons in the local economy. For example, gorse was continually cut for fuel, usually by boys and tied into bundles using bramble briars - a very prickly job. On Berkhamsted Common there were regulations prohibiting the cutting of gorse for sale outside the parish and the digging up of entire bushes. In 1725, to prevent over-exploitation, the Manor Court specified the size and type of cutting implement: a one handled bill(hook) with a handle no longer than 12 inches. Exceptions were made for people over 60 and under 14. Kath Daly, Countryside Officer an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 1

2 Making Common Cause Community involvement in the care of Studham Common Pam Rumfitt Friends of Studham Common hese are interesting times in Studham. We are lucky to have a community that feels a keen sense Tof 'ownership' of the Common, whether or not they participate in the practical work. The downside is, of course, that there are strong and sometimes opposing views about how the Common should be cared for. How can we resolve these differences and balance the needs of wildlife conservation, public amenity or community asset? Informing and consulting people is at least part of the answer. The Common is owned by Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) and managed by the Greensand Trust, with the Friends of Studham Common (FOSC) providing the volunteer work force. Over the last year or so, FOSC have been helping with the updating of the CBC's Five Year Management Plan, especially in respect of the detailed work schedule that links the Plan's objectives with practical action. Paul also proposed leading a 'walk-about' on the Common, with CBC's conservation expert Steve Halton, to allow a further opportunity to explain the work plans and hear people's views. This took place the following weekend and was again well attended, with a turn out of over thirty people. In at least three areas, people expressed directly Geoff Shute, Parish Councillor and Vice-Chairman of Friends of Studham Common, introduces Paul Burgess of Central Bedfordshire and John Creasey of the Greensand Trust to present the Proposals of the CBC's Five Year Management Plan. opposing views about what should be done! With is no easy solution to such conundrums, these are being addressed on a case by case basis. The majority view was that a gentler approach to scrub and woodland clearance would be welcomed, for aesthetic reasons and to preserve wildlife habitats. CBC will be taking this into account when finalising the Plan. Early this year, CBC submitted a draft Plan to the Parish Council and FOSC. After some revision, it was then put into the public domain through local community outlets (including the pubs!) and on the Parish website, prior to a public meeting organised by the Parish Council in February. There was an excellent turn out of local residents, eager to hear Paul Burgess of CBC outline the Plan's main objectives and even more eager to voice their views. The meeting, advertised through a door drop, posters, in the Parish Mag and in the FOSC newsletter, had an excellent turn out. A lot of the discussion focused on how much bracken, bramble and scrub should be cleared, amid concerns that loss of habitat was having an adverse effect on wildlife. A new proposal in the Plan, to consider re-introducing grazing, also generated some heated discussion and will be the subject of a detailed consultation at a future date. Sadly it was not possible, in the time allowed, to give a proper airing to everyone's views, nor to address people's concerns in depth. Paul therefore asked for further submissions for consideration for inclusion in the final version. People discussing the work schedule for management of the Common, which is included in the Plan and which was distributed at the meeting. Photos: Pam Rumfitt 2

3 o, not a sci-fi 'B' Movie! A very real problem that many of us Nhave faced in the past and will face in the future. What do you do when a group of Travellers enter your land and set up camp? I asked the Thames Valley Police Force what the legal position was, who to talk to and what can be done to remove them. Most common land is either privately or publicly owned though there are a few areas where ownership is either unknown or in doubt. What follows relates to Bucks and Oxon and there may be variants where the other Chilterns Counties are concerned so check with your local Force. Also print off a copy of Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 it's essential reading! Assuming that the land is either privately or publicly owned, there are several options available to landowners to deal with the arrival of a group of travellers and to evict them: 1. Bailiffs employed by the landowner. 2. Court Orders usually obtained via the Bucks and Oxon Gypsy and Traveller Services unit. 3. Police powers under Section 61 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act The Police will always work closely with the relevant local Council. The primary agency for dealing with traveller encampments is the County or District council. The Bucks & Oxon Shared Gypsy and Traveller Services unit are based within Oxfordshire County Council and can be contacted on It is important to stress that the human rights of the travellers must be taken into consideration and the Police's function is to prevent crime and disorder. The Council or private landowner will normally take the lead in cases where a simple trespass is taking place. A very straightforward guide for all members of the public on what to do if a traveller encampment takes place can be found on The Curse of the unwanted Traveller Ross Osborn opportunity. The landowner is, I understand, entitled to have sight of these documents. The Code of Conduct details behaviour that may result in eviction including camping on any land designated as a public amenity, forcing entry to land by causing damage to fixtures, fittings and landscape, dumping or tipping rubbish, use of area as a toilet and intimidation or harassment of any person lawfully using the area. The owner of the land needs to be established and contacted, if not already present. The Councils, Courts, Bailiffs and the Police will not act until the owner(s) have been consulted and their wishes made clear. In cases where the land appears to have no owner, the law is clear that the precise nature of any rights in the land should be established before action is taken under Section 61. This law states the following: If the senior police officer, present at the scene, reasonably believes that two or more persons are trespassing on land, are present there with the common purpose of residing there for any period and that reasonable steps have been taken by, or on behalf of, the occupier to ask them to leave and - a. that any of those persons has caused damage to the land or to property on the land or used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards the occupier, a member of his family or an employee or agent of his, OR b. that those persons have between them six or more vehicles on the land, he may direct those persons, or any of them, to leave the land and to remove any vehicles or other property they have with them on the land. 'Vehicles' do not have to be in a fit state for use on a road and can include a chassis or body (with or without wheels) appearing to have formed part of a vehicle. They also include caravans, therefore 3 towing vehicles and 3 caravans count as six vehicles. If the Police are called to a site then their first responsibilities are to liaise with the travellers to establish how many people are expected to arrive and how long they intend to stay. The Police are required to complete a site assessment and vehicle log, and then issue the travellers with a Code of Conduct which outlines acceptable behaviour whilst on the site. This should be done at the earliest An extra provision within this law specifically covers registered common land and states that if a group of travellers attempt to stay on common land (as opposed to privately or publicly owned land), then any person who has a right to the benefit of that land can ask for police help if the conditions in Section 61 are fulfilled. continued over 3

4 The Curse of the unwanted Traveller Of course, we all hope that the Travellers trees and posts they proved to be don't come, in the first place. markers for the Travellers as to where to Unfortunately, at Ditchfield Common, Lane come. This time, though, the residents End, - privately owned registered common acted very quickly. The gates were land - we have had two such 'invasions' in closed and locked and the water supply the last ten years. Why chose Ditchfield was turned off so very few vehicles Common? We are not quite sure but the actually got onto the site and they were area they chose was largely secluded from removed after only a few days. At that public view, had water available in the point, they went to Parish Council owned adjacent churchyard and a scrubby copse land and were almost immediately continued into which to throw rubbish, nappies and evicted. everything else. After the first, somewhat lengthy, stay clearing up the mess that the Travellers left In our latest incursion, once the Travellers knew the Police was indescribable. were involved and they were to be evicted, all the adults left the site leaving only the unsupervised children. Human With the land owners help and agreement, local volunteers, Rights then come into play Children's Services then need to the Church, businesses, and the Parish Council, built a become involved which delays the eviction process number of 'deterrents' a perimeter bank and bollards and gates at the various entrances - which was felt to be The moral of the story? adequate to discourage a return visit. We were wrong! Plan for the worst and hope for the best but, above all, HAVE A PLAN, BE ALERT, ACT QUICKLY and talk to your At the end of last year, they returned. None of us paid local police as soon as you can. much attention to scraps of read/white bunting pinned to Studham stop press 1 Friends unite for the Common good A sixty-strong force of volunteers joined forces in January for the fifth annual community work party on Studham Common. Fortified by a hearty porridge breakfast, followed by lunch and tea in the Village Hall, everyone laboured on well into the afternoon. Tasks included hedge planting, scrub clearance, gorse restoration and sensitive treatment of particular hedgerows that offer important habitats for our bird and dormouse populations. The event was organised by the Friends of Studham Common, with the help of the Greensand Trust and Central Bedfordshire Council, who helped recruit volunteers from further afield. It was funded by a grant from the Grassroots Foundation. Studham stop press 2 Winter Community Work Party Photos: Pam Rumfitt Starting young Pupils from Studham Lower School's Maple Class braved the cold in January to plant a new section of hedge on Studham Common. They used saplings donated by the Woodland Trust, plus some field maple, to match their name, and some extra hazel plants to keep our dormice happy. The children were joined by staff, parents and volunteers from the Friends of Studham Common. We hope to involve the children in monitoring and caring for their new hedge in the coming year. Acknowledgements The Friends of Studham Commons would like to express thanks to the Chilterns Conservation Board and the Grassroots Foundation for their generous grants towards the purchase of a secure tools storage facility. School tree planters 4

5 Chilterns Commons Forum Site visit to Cadmore End Common on 31st March 2011 Bärbel Cheesewright bout 30 participants made their way to Kensham Farm at the edge of Cadmore End Common. Bryan AEdgley, hosting this site visit, welcomed everybody and gave a brief introduction to Cadmore End Common, which has a history of brick and tile making going back to the 15th century. All the materials required for brick making, were found here: Clay, chalk and sand. Bryan then led the group to the recently restored Kensham Farm pond in front of the 15th century farmhouse. Last autumn this pond was drained, invasive vegetation removed and overhanging brushwood and sallow cut back. This pond is fed by water draining from the surrounding fields and by rainwater. From Kensham Farm the group walked through Kilnwood to view the remains of an old Scottish Kiln and on to the Old Ruins of the Scottish Brick Kiln Photo: Barbel Cheesewright Brick Kiln, a Grade II listed building which is the last standing updraft kiln in this area. Dr. Rex Wolf, the current owner, had kindly given permission to view the kilns. He showed the visitors copies of old maps and photographs of one of the last brickmakers' gangs in front of the working kiln (around 1930). A feasibility study on the state of the brickwork of this kiln (funded jointly by the CCB and the Buckinghamshire Historic Building Trust) had been carried out by the previous owners in Mr. Wolf explained that the original bell shaped inner kiln had been encased in an outer brickwork shell to support the structure. But even this shell is now crumbling and needs further brick support. and the three types of newts found in England, including the Great Crested Newt. From Head and Body Pond the group proceeded to look at the oldest oak on Cadmore End Common. John Morris, Chiltern Woodlands Project, estimated its age to be between 350 and 450 years. Returning to Head and Body Pond, Bryan Edgley took the group to Hatches Wood, which was planted in the early nineties on land adjoining the common and given in lieu of common land required for building the motorway. John Morris, who has recently prepared a woodland management plan for Cadmore End Common, talked about the work required. Further on, joined-up water-filled clay pits are the subject of another potential pond project the restoration of Hatches Pond. There was some discussion about the importance of carrying out a site survey ahead of taking action and it is hoped that funding for this will be available from the HLF Commons Project. Different species can be found in ponds at a whole range of stages of 'development' believe it or not some will like it just the way it is now, whilst others will thrive in more open conditions with water year-round. During a pub lunch Bryan Edgley passed around old maps of Cadmore End Common and a copy of Sid Smith's History of Cadmore End. Lunch was followed by the Forum Meeting at the Lane End village hall. The main topic was the HLF Bid presented in great detail by Kath Daly. If and when the bid for for the Chilterns Commons is successful, Cadmore End Common is likely to benefit from it. Many thanks to all those who helped to make the day a success, in particular to Bryan for hosting the visit. Thanking Mr. Wolf for his time, Bryan Edgley led the group along some well kept footpaths past some of the veteran trees on the common to Head and Body Pond, which was restored in the winter of 2004/05. This pond restoration, for which funding had been secured from the CCB, WDC and Lane End Parish Council, is a real success story. Bärbel Cheesewright, who had managed the restoration project, gave a brief outline of the work that had taken place and then spoke of the need for looking after the biodiversity of the pond. Before restoration only 12 aquatic invertebrate species were recorded. Three years later there were 32. By then grass snakes populated the water and banks, as did frogs Hatches pond a future restoration project? Photo: Barbel Cheesewright 5

6 Funding matters Looking for funding to help manage your common? Despite tightening finances, the Chilterns Conservation Board remains committed to supporting local groups and landowners look after common land in the Chilterns. Small grants are available for a whole range of projects including volunteer training, habitat management, information for the public and specialist survey work. Projects supported last year included a conservation grazing trial at Ibstone Common, a pond survey at Moorend Common and a tool store at Studham Common. For more information, please get in touch with Kath at kdaly@chilternsaonb.org Pond surveys - knowing what you have is important (Pond at Nettlebed Common) Programme of Future Events Next Forum will take place on 23rd June 2011 at Brush Hill Local Nature Reserve. Whilst not a registered common, there are many aspects of the management of this Wycombe District Council site which will be of interest, not least learning about the grazing regime and use of temporary fences with volunteer stock watchers. Commons Day Friday 30th September at Totternhoe Knolls Commons e-bulletin Copy & publication dates Publication Copy submission date Summer 2011 Friday 1st July Autumn 2011 Monday 3rd October To find out more... To find out more about the Commons Network and Forum and the Chilterns Conservation Board, contact: Kath Daly, Countryside Officer. T: kdaly@chilternsaonb.org The opinions expressed, in this Newsletter, do not necessarily reflect the views of the Chilterns Conservation Board. an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 6