The Common

The Common

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The Coleshill Common (Coleshill's best kept secret)

Strangers to the village often ask where they can find the Common, it being well hidden from most sides.

The present Common covers an area of nearly eleven acres (5.3 h). Historically it was used by villagers to graze their animals, and to dig for clay and gravel. The evidence of these diggings is still visible in many places. Despite considerable research, the ownership of the Common remains unknown. The financial responsibility now rests with Chiltern District Council, who delegate its care to Coleshill Parish Council. They in turn have set up a Management Committee whose membership is drawn from the village. This Committee carries out work to maintain amenities, and encourage a diverse wildlife.

The Common consists of a central area of grassland surrounded by a belt of woodland and scrub. There are two small ponds, one of which is only seasonal, drained by a streamlet that flows a short way until it disappears into a sink hole.

The Management Committee had an interesting walk round the Common recently in the company of Rod d’Ayala, who has been advising the Parish Council about the Village Pond. His particular interest is in ponds, and he suggested that the present ones on the Common could be improved and extended to the benefit of wildlife.

A new home for the elusive Starfruit, that ‘hides’ in the Village Pond, could be created. As many will know, this small plant is one of Coleshill’s claims to fame – being found at only a handful of sites in England. The Committee will be looking at possible plans, but may need extra man-power from the village to undertake such work.

Chilterns Conservation Board project for Chiltern Commons

As part of this project, work is planned for various parts of the common over the next couple of years. It started recently with the replacement of the sloping access ladder, by steps and a bridge – with the welcome help of the Chiltern Society.

The next phase of work will involve the widening out of the main path down onto the common by felling a number of trees. The aim is give a better view of the grassy area as people approach down the path.

Work will be done in the area of elm trees on Windmill Hill, with the removal of some of the dead elms and the creation of space for the oak tree at the bottom of the area. Further down Windmill Hill a blackthorn tree will be removed to widen the viewpoint.

There are two oak trees that will have some lower branches lopped and one where neighbouring trees will be removed to give it more light. The same is planned for an apple tree and field maple trees in the woodland part of the common.

The work listed above is due to be started this winter of 2011/2012. If anyone is interested in the details, Chris Wege (Tel. 724152) would be happy to walk round the common with them.

Next winter the electricity substation on Windmill Hill is due to have the Leylandii trees removed and eventually replaced with native shrubs. Hazel hurdles will be fitted as a temporary shield.
Chris Wege December 2011

 

Coleshill Common Byelaws

Click on this link to read the byelaws that govern the use of the common.

Common Update - Spring 2012

Request for Observers

Counting how many kinds of tree there are on the common is relatively easy, because they stand still. I counted up to 15 recently! Even then I may well have overlooked one or two. Animals however are a much greater problem because they are only seen fleetingly. So a request: when you go on the common please note any sighting of mammals and let me know what, when and where. We don't know how often badgers, foxes, roe deer, stoats and muntjacs come there. Also monitoring the number of rabbits would be of interest – not easy – but worth having a guess when you see a big gathering scattering off the grassland. Send any sightings to me via the contact form.

Wanted

Does anyone in the village have a redundant water trough suitable for cattle? Plans are proceeding for a return of the cattle to graze the common again this year. Water is one of the problems and having our own trough would make preparations for the animals easier.

Chris Wege

Work Party Dates – Spring 2012

January

Saturday 7th
Tuesday 24th

February

Thursday 9th
Friday 17th

March

Thursday 1st
Saturday 17th
Tuesday 27th

All work parties start at 10 am.

If you would like to join us on the Common please give Chris Wege a ring on 724152 for details.

NB Dates sometimes have to be changed at the last minute so it's always best to phone beforehand to check.

Click here to contact the Common Management Committee

Rough scrub, more than fifty years ago	Mature woods and grassland today

In 1992 a Management plan was drawn up by Ann Trotman, with the results of historical research added by the late John Chenevix-Trench. The objective of the Plan was set out as:

“To protect and conserve the unenclosed character and naturalness of the site for the benefit of the flora, fauna and other wildlife and for its quiet enjoyment by the public on foot.”

Work is carried out during the winter months, on a fortnightly basis, to keep paths clear and cut annual growth in places where particular flora is to be encouraged. The grassland is mowed once a year.

A project is undertaken each year to improve diversity, and prevent the grassland disappearing under trees. The coppicing of small trees, and the planting of new native saplings is often involved.

Planting trees for the Millennium

 

Stump of oak tree felled by Jamie Dyer and expertly converted into a seat with his chain-saw

 

Mushroom Tree

August 2002 saw the Mushroom Tree restored to its former glory. Thanks to the expertise of Michael Connolley and his colleague, the lack of trimming over several years has been put right.

The Tree was first shaped by Albert Bates, who lived opposite in Thornbury Cottage. He used to cut the area of grass in front of the tree to form his own lawn, despite the hillocks and dips. This area was the best part of the Common for harebells in the late summer.
Albert and his wife Ada would take their chairs out on the grass on a summer’s day and watch the world go by. Mrs Bates also used the grass as a convenient place for spreading her sheets to dry. Originally two cottages, the property was owned by Sidney Ware’s father at one time. He can remember the old lady who lived in one of them, sitting at her door, and working with her lace pillow and bobbins. The cottages were sold for £75 each, and later Albert knocked them into one.

If you would like to know more about special trees in the Chilterns you can click the link below and visit the special trees in the Chilterns web site organised by the Chilterns AONB on

http://www.chilternsaonb.org/about-chilterns/woodlands/special-trees-woods.html

Details

Last Updated on Friday, 16 March 2012 10:30

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