Since inception many matters have been discussed, approved or rejected. A summary up to the present is: -
This was carried out mainly over in Crookham Common and is now complete. Re-profiling has been completed with the general corrugated appearance left to weather.
Heather growth has been encouraged in many locations. Appointed contractors are cutting heather after flowering and the cuttings spread by volunteers in bare gravel areas. Volunteer groups also pull ragwort in these areas. Where the ragwort is accessible by mechanical plant it is rolled to weaken growth. Bracken is also rolled.
There have been applications received by various bodies, such as for orienteering, and foot races. These are judged on their merits but more often are approved subject to conditions. The British Driving Society applied on behalf of Riding for the disabled to have the occasional drive. As horse carriages might be described as a vehicle this was a difficult judgment. It was agreed that, provided sufficient notice was given to the Ranger and no more than two carriages were employed, approval was given.
West Berkshire Council arranged for Tarmac Construction to prepare a wetland habitat at the North East end of Crookham Common. The natural development of this area is reported to the Commission.
Different methods of paving for cycle tracks were investigated. Black top systems were ruled out as not in keeping with the natural beauty of the common. Soil stabilization was too costly. It was agreed to maintain the natural hoggin (gravel and clay) by grading and rolling annually.
It is a desire of the Commission to create a visitor centre at the old control tower. To date this has been ruled out as too costly in both capital and revenue costs.
This is a regular problem and can cause distress to stock. Overflying cannot be prevented for aircraft over 500 metres above ground level. The M.O.D. say if a date and time and identification of any military aircraft flying below this limit is notified they would investigate. Of course at the speed of such craft this is near impossible.
An initial pair of ponies introduced caused distress to some riders as they were not fully feral and would crowd the riders' horses. They were removed and a herd of fully feral ponies was introduced. These have kept to themselves within their own herd. Two mares are extremely rare as their true bloodline can be traced back a very long way.
With the outbreak in neighbouring Surrey in 2007 emergency plans were discussed. It was agreed that the Act gave sufficient powers to fence off temporarily any area and bar public access if the outbreak spread.
Berks. Bucks. and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) has formed a partnership with West Berkshire Council, the Living Landscape Project. The Commission supports this project.
Since January 2008 there have been approximately 400 volunteer attendances, working over 2500 hours; this is not inclusive and most likely a lot, lot higher. Volunteers have included:
British Trust for Conservation volunteers (BTCV)
Berkshire Conservation Volunteers (BeC)
Volunteer Reading
Newbury Probation Service
Newbury District Ornithological Club (NOC)
Air Training Corps
Vodafone
PepsiCo
Students from local schools including Trinity, Shaw House and Sparsholt College
A group of regular, dedicated volunteers working throughout the year...
... and of course the Greenham and Crookham Common Volunteers (GCCV)
Tasks have been wide ranging and include Heathland conservation work, ragwort pulling and site maintenance along with wildlife surveys.
This is a project agreed between West Berkshire Council, Natural England and BBOWT. Go to www.bbowt.org.uk/content.asp?did=24722 for full details about this project.
All contents © Greenham & Crookham Commons Commission, unless otherwise credited.
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