September 15th 2025

Written By Hannah Hulme Hunter

Attendees

Alex Cruickshank (AC - BBOWT – Chair) Pat Stone (PS - BVHC), Dave Munson (DM - Common Volunteers), Roger Stone (RS - Friends of Brill Common), Emi Slater (ES - Brill Parish Council – Common Rep), Tim Patrick (TP), James Tuffley (JT - Brill Parish Council), Liz Springs (Brill Parish Council)

Bobs Damerell (BD – Minutes), 

Apologies: Christine Bailey (CB – BVCH), John Cable (JC - Walks Committee, Liz Cotgreave (LC – The Walks)

Insurance and equipment for volunteer groups 

    • DM updated the group that there had been an accident with the commander mower during a volunteer session, injuring a member of the Common Volunteers 

    • DM reassured the group that all procedures were followed, the volunteer was taken to hospital and was treated quickly and back in the village. The incident was written up and the report sent to the Parish Council. The group has reviewed the incident and agreed on new procedures for volunteers and a new Risk Assessment has been drafted and will be stored with both the volunteers and with the Parish Council.

    • The Clerk will check that with the Council’s insurance that the Risk Assessment meets the required standard.

    • A new and up to date first aid kit has been ordered for the Common Volunteers

    • The volunteers have sent a request for new and updated equipment, which has been included on the Agenda at the September Parish Council meeting for approval.

Ragwort

    • The Group has received a question on pulling the ragwort on the Common following a report highlighting its status as a native plant and the beneficial properties to the ecosystem around it. 

    • The group acknowledged the report, however also noted the report also agreed that ragwort should be removed from areas where cattle will be grazing or areas which will be cut for hay for feeding cattle.

Update on Ranger Applications. 

    • The exact start date of the project is yet to be determined as still waiting to see if any of the candidates will be suitable for the role.

    • The deadline for submitting applications is 19 September, with formal interviews scheduled for 19 September. Currently the panel for shortlisting and interviewing will be AC, ES, JT & BD.

    • 10 applications have been received so far.

Hybanks update

    • The group was unanimous in their recommendation for the Parish Council to erect a fence along the Hybanks boundary. The item has been included on the Agenda for the September Parish Council meetiing

Cuckoo Farm update

    • This item is on the Agenda for the September Parish Council meeting to remove the stones from the Common

Biodiverstiy news

    • As part of the BBOWT, Bernwode, Ottmoor and Ray project butterfly surveys were carried out and on a significant positive purple hair streak butterflies were found on the oak trees on Tramhill.

    • Brown hairstreak eggs were also found on the common as well

Encroachment

    • It was agreed that encroachment concerns can be raised at these meetings, but only to inform the group. The concerns and details should be passed directly to the Parish Council to take action.

Sheep escaping on to the Common

    • There was reports of the sheep escaping near the Norcotts track. The Council are currently looking to assess the fencing in the walks and what repairs need to be made

Winter works program

    • Bramble clearance - The group agreed for Tim Ludlow to be asked to carry out flailing on the excavator to clear the brambles on the Common at areas S18, B15, S42, B2, B6, B11, S40, S21 and S20. Including the coppicing at S32 the work should take approximately 3 days.  

    • TP to liaise with Tim Ludlow to walk the areas and gain a quote for the work.

    • HLS Agreement - AC confirmed that the HLS Scheme finishes on 31 December and the re-application window for the Council does not open until after this date.

    • Survey of the oak trees on the boundary of the Common

    • Herd - BVCH highlighted the paucity of grassland for the cows due to the very dry summer, which has meant the need to move the cows around the common more as there less food available.

    • It may be necessary to purchase more winter feed hay, if the current levels of grass are insufficient for the cows. However, this may be difficult and costly as many farmers have not seen enough growth on their grassland for excess use outside of their own needs.

    • Ragwort - ES to enquire with the Brill Memorial Hall to use the commercial bins to dispose of pulled ragwort.

    • The Walks – BD confirmed that Aspire is scheduled to cut the grass in the walks.

Hannah Hulme Hunter
Next

June 11th 2025