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Conservers still have the common touch

It was happy birthday to a group of volunteers who have been looking after Litcham Common.
The Litcham Common Conservation Group has just celebrated its first anniversary this month. It was set up by Litcham residents to carry out work on the common, which is designated as a Local Nature Reserve.

Tim Angell, one of the co-ordinators of the group, said the idea for volunteers to help with the practical management work had been advertised in the parish magazine. He said: "We weren't sure what sort of response to expect, but are delighted with how enthusiastic people have been, not only from Litcham, but also the surrounding villages. I think people like the opportunity to put something back into their community, especially when it's outdoors and doing something a bit different. Having a bonfire is always popular, especially with the children!"

Mr Angell said their main work is to remove scrub and birch which has become established on the formerly open areas of the heathland, an important wildlife habitat which has declined by around 60% since the 19th century. "A Management Committee is responsible for the common and they decide what jobs need to be done, with Norfolk County Council's Countryside Department giving us expert advice," he said. As well as clearing scrub, the group has removed litter from the common and also arranged guided walks so that people can learn more about the wildlife. Mr Angell said: “It is very satisfying to see what has been achieved in just one year and gives us great hope for the future.
”The group has received support from the Chestnut Fund, a national charity, and also local organisations including Litcham Parish Council and Ben Burgess. This has enabled it to obtain the necessary insurance and tools.

John Mitchell, one of the volunteers, who has lived in Litcham nearly all his life and remembers the common in the 1940s said: "It has changed dramatically since then.“The common used to be very open, with hardly any trees except wind bushes (gorse). There was still some grazing, and I also remember there were often fires, and afterwards people would collect the dead wind bush branches to use on their fires at home. “The area was well used by local people but then gradually seemed to be forgotten about as times changed, and large areas became overgrown. It would have lost its status as a common entirely had it not been for the actions of the late William Foster of Lexham Hall, who was also the man behind the designation as a Local Nature Reserve in 1984."
Mr Mitchell enjoys working on the common, but also said he would like to see the reintroduction of grazing: "A few cattle would soon munch their way through the birch seedlings for us", he said.

The conservation group meets on the second Saturday of each month, and anyone interested in helping should contact Mr Angell on 01328 700045.Home