Agenda item

The Superintendent of Burnham Beeches, Stoke Common and City Commons to be heard.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Superintendent of Burnham Beeches, Stoke Common and City Commons. Members noted that North London Open Spaces staff visited to Burnham Beeches in early February to work with the local team on reduction work on some of the ancient pollards and staff from the two divisions were able to share knowledge and expertise. The Burnham Beeches team used a Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) whilst North London Open Spaces staff worked on those trees that could be best dealt with by climbing and where the ground conditions were not suitable for the MEWP.

Officers said volunteers and staff had cleared fence lines and holly for the further expansion of the invisible fencing.  This would ensure in 2015 that 160ha, or 73%, of the site, would be available for grazing - doubling the present grazed area which would allow for larger paddocks. In the long term this may lead to the need for a few additional cattle, and Officers would make a judgement based on the effect of the larger paddocks on the current herd.

A ‘Meet the Ranger’ event was held and 20 people attended. 30 people attended a bird box building event - 21 boxes were made and taken home, with a donation given to cover the cost of materials. The local garden centre had donated bird boxes. Over 100 children took part in the Woodland Wonders half term trail. The trails included suggested routes through the woods, spotter sheets and games and activity ideas to do on site and back at home.

Members noted that Ashtead Common hosted the annual Megatask. Over 50 conservation volunteers took part from the Ashtead Common Volunteers, Epsom Common Volunteers, Epsom’s “Eco-vols” and the Lower Mole project. The team coppiced a large area of hazel along Bridleway 38 to allow light onto the woodland floor.

The Superintendent said the recent winter winds had caused a couple of the 500 year old veteran pollarded oaks to blow over. Contract tree surgeons (KPS) had completed a 7 week programme of veteran tree work contract. In all, 96 trees were retrenched and 78 had oaks around them reduced. They also re-pollarded and coppiced some of the large willows along the Rye Brook and along Woodfield Road. Contractors also completed an eight week programme of secondary woodland clearance in the Willow Field grazing area. The timber provided and income of £1,500.

Members were presented with some of the latest proposals for signage at Kenley Common as part of the Heritage Lottery Fund application. A meeting with HLF was being held this week and would allowed Officers to gauge whether any further work was needed prior to the June submission deadline. Kenley Common Rangers also led a guided walk for members of the public talking about and looking at the history of Kenley Airfield, in particular its involvement in the Battle of Britain.

Members noted that 35 tonnes of timber was harvested at Spring Park as part of the small-leaved lime restoration project. Finding a market for the logs proved to be a challenge but in January, one and half lorry loads were collected by a woodchip processor based in Surrey for use in the national grid. Officers were now turning their attention to the third and final year of this project for autumn 2015.

The new QR code nature trail at Farthing Downs received further media coverage with the Horticulture Week, Pro Landscaper and Primary Times Magazines running the story. Farthing Downs was also featured in Sport England’s “This Girl Can” campaign with photos and video. The campaign was inspiring women to participate in sport or activity.

In response to a query regarding the health of the herd of cattle moved from Burnham Beeches to Epping Forest, Officers said that ringworm was common as it could be easily transferred between cattle. The herd had received ringworm treatment and had undergone blood tests as part of a wider health check for more threatening diseases. Each cattle had a ‘Health Plan’ which helped Officers monitor the its health.

RECEIVED.