By Cathy Fuller
The aim of Bringsty Common Manorial Court is to ensure
“Bringsty Common remains a place where residents and visitors alike can safely enjoy the physical and mental well-being from visiting or living in a peaceful and beautiful landscape. We will enhance the sense of community, honour our heritage, increase the bio-diversity of the Common and contribute to CO2 reduction.”
How far have we got in the last year?
Community
With limited opportunities for face-to-face communication in addition to quarterly Zoom meetings for residents, a Bringsty Common Manorial Court Facebook site was established, which now has nearly 50 members. Do join this site if you haven’t already, it is an excellent opportunity to share ideas and hear news. If you have difficulties finding the site or just want regular updates, please contact me.
As face-to face meetings get safer we hope to organise a social events and welcome ideas. If you are interested in increasing your involvement with the community, please also consider joining the Bringsty Common MC.
Biodiversity and Carbon Reduction
The Conservation group has gained advice, arranged visits and guided walks from Hereford Wildlife Trust , Butterfly Conservation, organised work parties to replace scrub and bracken with wildflowers and native trees, and managed the grasslands to promote greater biodiversity. Special thanks to Mike Davis and Peter Hall. You will have seen in “The Commoner” that we are applying for funding to implement a woodland management plan which will curb overgrowth of scrub, allowing veteran trees space to thrive and enhance the environment. It should also make woodland areas more accessible and 5 attractive. Volunteers are needed to ensure the conservation plans can be achieved please.
Health and Safety
Thanks to Kirsty Udall, a defibrillator has been installed next to Bringsty Living. Serious accidents mean speed control on the A44 continues to be a concern and we now have the support of both parish councils and speed limit enforcement is happening. A reduction in the speed limit continues to be a longer-term aim. Fire safety remains one of the largest concerns for residents and after fires on the Common a fire assessment resulted in widening of the tracks.
Heritage
The Common has a wealth of history, including listed buildings, the Drovers Pond, the Gospel Oak and a range of native trees. All of which we strive to preserve. Heritage stories and photos are being shared on the Facebook site and residents are encouraged to add to these or the Commoner.
Mental Health and Well-Being
The community hub, established to offer help and support to residents initially during the pandemic is still available to anyone who needs help and assistance. The peace and beauty of the Common continues to enhance mental health and wellbeing for all who live and visit. The new bus shelter has hopefully improved this experience and encouraged more visitors. The football pitch is still maintained with contributions from Whitbourne Parish 6 Council and used for a variety of activities during the pandemic. Lack of litter on the Common is thanks to volunteers tidying up.
Funding
The withdrawal of Natural England funding meant we might have only had enough funds to continue maintaining the tracks and the grasslands for the next five years. However, since the AGM we have had an offer of some additional funding from the council which we are in the process of securing. We are grateful for donations we have received from Butterfly Conservation, Morgan Motors and Gigaclear. With thanks to Peter Hall, Graham Chapman and Cllr. Nigel Shaw.
Thank yous
In addition to those thanked above I’d like to thank
Jenny Creek for all her continued hard work as clerk
Peter Bridge- for keeping all the accounts.
Derek Brookes- for contributions over the years.
Tim Phillips and Martin Roche for contributing to committee meetings
Sally Knowles-for liaison with Whitbourne Parish Council