How we keep the Common as 'a place of public resort'
Carlo Le Brun, left, and Kye Ogier working near Bunker Hill
One of the questions we’re often asked is why we “manage” the Common and how we do it. The first part of the question is easy to answer – the Vale Commons Council was formed for that purpose and so has a legal obligation to do so.
The reason for its founding Ordinance is to maintain and protect the existing character of the Commons. And in turn that’s to facilitate the use of the area for organised activities as well as a place of “public resort and recreation”, as the law puts it.
Beyond that, the VCC acts to conserve the existing indigenous species within the area and protect the nature conservation interest of both existing and new habitats.
Habitat
In broad terms, much of the Common can be split into two general habitat types – grassland and scrub – with the dune grassland being of particular conservation interest.
What we do is explained more fully here but the more visible work is aimed at ensuring scrub doesn’t encroach on the grassland and on keeping the Common accessible.
Recent work has involved topping the grass, most recently around Bunker Hill and strimming to keep paths accessible and open.
The team for that is led by Peter Blake, a former president of the VCC, and his team of Carlo Le Brun and Kye Ogier, who do a terrific job for us.