As I write this update in mid-April, the work on clearing the tracks and restoring the drainage has been completed and the fencing of the grazing areas is well underway, ready for the introduction of the some rare-breed sheep later in the summer. Hopefully a period of dry weather will now allow the ground to dry out and stabilise.
Visitors to “Commons” now have a choice of permissive tracks and routes that augment the central public right of way that is marked on the map. The new routes all lead around different parts of the land so feel free to explore. The fenced enclosures have been designed such that there is always space outside the fence for walking and hedge maintenance – the idea being to avoid any situation where humans and dogs have to interact with grazing animals. New areas of bare earth have all been seeded with grass and wild flower mixes and a wet area in the NW corner of the land alongside the public footpath has been turned into a dew pond.
The old track alongside the stream has been cleared of the deep mud that could easily engulf an incautious wellington boot! Here we have also created a new wildlife pool that is fed via a pipe carrying sweet water from the spring that now drains into a new ditch alongside the access track that runs down from West Street, rather than flooding the track as has been the case in the past. The spring also feeds a new doggie drinking trough that you will see at the bottom of the hill by the stream. We hope that thirsty dogs will appreciate the chance to drink here rather than risk the water in the stream that is occasionally tainted by a discharge from the sewage works. It will be nice too if the same doggies make sure that their owners clear up the doggie poo or at least shift it off the paths into the undergrowth. Thanks!
Do wander over on a sunny day and enjoy the revitalised Common – the trees are alive with birds, the lizards are basking on sunny banks and the views down the valley are simply stunning!