Brill Parish Council Newsletter

November 2025 (vol 6, issue 11)

A Tail of Two Herds

One of the main reasons I applied for this job was because your common has animal lawnmowers. As most of you know, Brill Common is unimproved grassland; an incredibly important and increasingly rare habitat that supports a wide range of flora and fauna. Protecting and managing this habitat is crucial and this is where the grazing cows and goats come into their own.

A handful of people in Brill have grazing rights and two people who exercise these rights are Pat and Tim. 

Pat is the incredibly knowledgable manager of the herd of seven beautiful Dexter ladies on the common. Dexter is a heritage breed of cattle originating in Ireland. It’s the smallest breed in the British Isles, notable for being both hardy and docile, making them ideal animals for grazing common land. Pat and a dedicated group of volunteers and shareholders form the Brill Village Community Herd. A core of fifty or so volunteers support the herd as Lookers and Movers - which sounds like a great band name! I went along last week to help relocate the cows, and was impressed with how streamlined the Movers’ operation was; much less stress than other livestock operations I’ve been involved with!

Livestock grazing helps keep dominant species of grass and flora in check and so prevents scrub encroachment. Cows use their tongues to pull grass into their mouths meaning they leave tussocks; a valuable habitat for insects and small mammals. Of equal importance is what happens the other end - dynamic dung! This over-looked by-product provides a nutrient-rich habitat for plants and insects: dung beetles, for example, rely on dung to survive. 

From dung we move onto goats - and what a stunning tribe inhabit Brill Common! The goats are owned by Tim, local man and lover of Blues music who has named each after a famous musician. Hank (one of the original pair of goats) is 17 years of age and Eric, Stevie, Jeff and Jimmi are all 11 years old. The Bagot is a rare breed of goat known for its gentle temperament and ability to graze and clear scrub; an excellent choice for the common. Unlike cows, goats graze by nibbling leaves. They appreciate a varied buffet, with a convenient preference for bramble and dog rose. 

There is so much more I could say about the two herds on Brill Common but for now I’d just like to emphasise the conservation aspect; these animals are here to protect and serve the common - and they do an incredible job. This said, the heritage of commons is not just about commoners and their livestock. Commons across the UK include areas of impressive landscape, unique geology, incredible biodiversity - and important human history. Commons must be protected. The herders and Volunteers of Brill Common are already doing this and I endeavour to support everyone involved in my role as Wildlife & Community Ranger. 

Please get in touch!

Email me your wildlife questions, ideas for events and walks on the common - and anything else wildlife-related. I’d love to hear from you!

A local treasure: Bernwode Rural Shed
More than just woodwork!

A welcoming space has taken root in Brill; the Bernwode Rural Shed. While the name might conjure images of sawdust and tools this Wednesday morning gathering is, first and foremost, a haven for friendship and community connection.

Located at 7 High Street in Brill, the Shed is a place where people from Brill and surrounding villages can escape the potential isolation of rural life to share stories, laughter - and a good cup of tea.

“It’s not about being a master craftsman,” explains local resident and Shed regular Keith. “It’s about having a chat, a laugh, and knowing you’re not alone. We might tinker with a few bits of wood, but the real work is building friendships.”

“I’ve not had much experience with tools,” says Sarah, “but with Graham and Keith’s help, I made a bird table.”

Another regular says: “My woodturning days are past, but I do enjoy seeing all the different projects being built - and chatting over a coffee and crumpet.”

A welcoming space for all

Beyond the friendly banter, the Shed offers a genuine service to anyone seeking camaraderie. Whether it’s discussing local events, sharing gardening tips or simply enjoying a cuppa, the Shed provides a real sense of belonging and support.

Special thanks go to the nearby URC, who provide a warm space for refreshments and friendly conversation, including for those who prefer not to join the workshop activities. We’re also grateful for the ongoing support from Brill Parish Council, Vale Brewery and Cherry Tree Contractors.

Join the community

Aligned with the global Men’s Shed movement, and associated with the UK Men’s Sheds Association, the Bernwode Rural Shed is committed to strengthening community health through social connection. New members are always welcome. No fees or sign-up required; come for a few minutes or stay for the whole session!

• When? Every Wednesday, 9.30 to 11.30am

• Where? 7 High Street, Brill (opposite Constables shop)

Can you help us?

We’re looking for volunteers to help with tea making and hospitality during our weekly meet-ups. A friendly face and helping hand make a real difference, especially to newcomers. We’d also welcome donations toward our new Chatty Bench project, which will create a special place in Brill for anyone to sit, relax and enjoy a conversation.

If you’d like to get involved, just pop in on any Wednesday for a chat with one of the team, email Jason Beesley or call him on 07710772713.

Pavement Parking in Brill

The problem

More cars, bigger cars, 2-3 car households the norm - all squeezed into a village built on a medieval footprint. Add genuine concerns about the passage of fire engines (and, regrettably, the occasional large lorry) and it’s no wonder that many residents are forced to park with two wheels on the pavement.

We have to say that on the whole in Brill, pavement parking is executed with consideration; motorists avoid junctions and abusing narrow pavements - but here’s what could happen if things get out of hand:

• children (and others) unable to see to cross safely

• wheelchair users trapped; no way forward, no room to turn, dropped kerbs blocked

• buggy pushers forced out into passing traffic

• damage to kerbs and pavement causing subsequent expense, trips and injury

Can we stop it?

Not by legal means - at least not routinely in England outside of London (where pavement parking is an offence subject to hefty fines).

The Highway Code (Rule 244) states that motorists “should not [park on pavements] unless signs permit it”; advice rather than command. However, Rule 242 says: "You must not leave your vehicle or trailer in a dangerous position or where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road". Given that pavements are considered part of the highway/road, this means that if your pavement parked car is judged by a police officer to be either in a dangerous position or causing an unnecessary obstruction you could receive a fixed penalty notice.

Sledgehammers and nuts come to mind.

So, what to do?

All we can realistically do is appeal to residents to continue to park carefully - and to ask yourself these questions before locking up and walking away:

1. Is there any chance at all I could park on my property? If I’m a weekend visitor, could I use the windmill car park?

2. Am I blocking sight lines for pedestrians at a busy crossing place? Am I making it difficult for motorists to leave their properties by crowding their access?

3. Have I left enough pavement for two wheelchairs or buggies to pass (minimum 1.5 metres) - or is there sufficient space within 5-6 metres where they could safely manoeuvre?

THANK YOU!

Finally!

This newsletter is emailed every month to nearly 200 subscribers and we really appreciate your interest and support. If you’ve enjoyed reading please mention it to friends, family and neighbours. Tell them there are two ways to subscribe:

• complete the newsletter form on the BPC&C website

• email the Editor hannahbrillcommunity@gmail.com

We also publish an abridged print edition a few days after this digital version. There are always copies of this on the Parish Council noticeboard (on the front wall of the Memorial Hall), in the pouch on the door of the Parish Office (near the Memorial Hall kitchen), and in All Saints Church, Brill shops, and Unity Health centre.

Remember, you can read past newsletters on the Brill Parish Council & Community website.

All good wishes
Brill Parish Council