The young sheep are all in the barn, the trees from the Woodland Trust are all planted, hay stocks are at the ready, the field shelter is constructed and the Common is generally ready for whatever winter has in store. We have even planted a large selection of daffodil bulbs kindly donated by Brooks Nurseries.
Works of course will continue on maintenance and planned improvements but there will be a natural pause in main events until the spring. We look forward to what we hope will be our first lambs from the three Balwen ewes that (fingers crossed!!) have mated with Pip (the new ram) these last weeks. There will also be the need to repair and make good the “poaching” of the fields caused by the terrible wet weather of the past months. The scars will soon heal!
Spring will also see us taking back the 12 acres of pasture that we own at Upton, near Bude, which has been rented to a local farmer for the past 18 months. This will greatly improve our ability to manage and feed livestock through the year. We will also increase our acreage in the area around Kilkhampton if the right opportunities to do so come along.
The winter season will also give Neil in our office the opportunity to catch up with the paperwork and charity grant applications. He has enjoyed some success from his endeavours and I am sure more financial support will come our way very soon. And there are photos to be taken, video to be edited, and a little bird tells me there is a picture to be painted. Lots to do and lots to look forward to!
This first year has been a very rewarding time for all of us involved in the restoration and improvement of Kilkhampton Common. It has given us great satisfaction to see the number of people out and about on the land and I hope that you all have drawn equal enjoyment from your walks and wanderings.
Once again, thanks to everyone who has helped out at various tasks and thanks for the many kind words that we have received from so many local folk and visitors. Next year will be even better!
This will be the last of the monthly newsletter style articles – it is hard to keep the content fresh and interesting on such a frequent basis. This year we will be changing to a seasonal update interspersed with “on off” articles covering any special events or activities. I hope you will continue to enjoy my scribbling.
Wrap up warm and keep safe.
John Duncan