Find out About recent work on the Commons
COMMONS’ REPORT MARCH TO JUNE 2025
Janet Hopkinson reports…
In general the Commons have never looked better, particularly since the recent mowing. Duncan Colquhoun cut some extremely useful paths with the wheeled strimmer just as they were getting overgrown, followed up by Peter Hopkinson doing the bigger paths on the tractor, and James Jolliffe on his huge tractor taking out the bracken in places. My understanding is that the second cut, which often is September, is being brought forward slightly this year to August to accommodate James’ work schedule.
The heather beds are looking good. Hawridge has been kept pretty much under control from the first sight of the pesky bracken, but is just beginning to get away, and could do with a small working party; last year this was dealt with by just a handful of people in an hour one Sunday morning. The Cholesbury bed has faired less well and you will see there was a LOT of bracken growth but this was topped , along with the tractor, along with any tall heather. This has been a good job but there is some cut detritus now sitting on the top, which will impact flowering – so again, a working party might help.
The rogue horse rider is still about – only really evidenced from the odd pile of horse droppings – and of course isn’t doing much hoof damage with it being so dry. Rogue motorbikers were a problem earlier in the year, but appear to have stopped completely now. Some signage has been removed as a protest – presumably by cyclists or horse riders making a point!
The Commons are being very well used – on one morning a HUGE group of walkers from London, the ubiquitous DofE’ers, horse riders, runners, dog walkers and trainers, geo-cachers, cricket and cricket training – it is amazing that it is kept so relatively litter-free, although I’m sure lots of people are picking litter diligently!
We were VERY surprised to see two, one-man nylon tents pitched early one Saturday morning. Surprisingly NOT young people but two gentlemen of a certain age (think Hairy Bikers) who were perfectly charming and said that they had looked everywhere for a sign that said “No camping”. Fair point. They promised they would leave without leaving a trace, and they were good to their word.
The Cricket Club has arguably never looked better. Duncan has diligently re-pointed the patio on the veranda, the grass between the logs has been cut and kept managed, the WW2 bench has also had Duncan’s attention and the stripes on the outfield are to within a hair’s breadth of perfection!
The tree fellers have taken out the last of their trees and the damage caused during the wet felling period is all but invisible now. Sadly someone, presumably a householder from Hawridge Vale (as it must have been hand carted) has chosen to dump their laurel cuttings on the Common – very disappointing as this vegetation takes SO LONG to rot down.
The foxgloves have been incredible, flowering for the first time in spots that were opened up last year by James, and the honeysuckle has also been magnificent. There have been the usual spottings of lots of muntjac but also, less commonly, a lot of roe too.
According to Merlin I recorded a couple of ‘rare’ birds – namely a Sedge Warbler, Meadow Pipit and a Eurasian Treecreeper – in addition to: Wood pigeon, rook, Jackdaw, Greater Whitethroat, Carrion Crow, Wren, Blackbird, Chi+cha+, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, song Thrush, Robin, Tawny Owl, Pheasant, Linnet, Green Woodpecker and a Graylag Goose! Last night I sat in the garden and ducked, a lot, as the bats swooped overhead.
