April 13th 2026
Attendees
Alex Cruickshank (AC - BBOWT – Chair) Pat Stone (PS - BVHC), Roger Stone (RS - Friends of Brill Common), Tim Patrick (TP), James Tuffley (JT - Brill Parish Council), Jon Cable, Fiona Bennett-Meere (Wildlife & Community Ranger)
Bobs Damerell (BD – Minutes)
Apologies: Christine Bailey (CB – BVCH)
Matters Arising
Encroachment near 30 Church Street to be raised with the Parish Council
Clearance of trees by TP
Report from Wildlife & Community Ranger
FB-M confirmed that she had been working well and linking with each group
Thanks to TP and JT for all hard work on trees and help putting up fences.
The glade by the pond has been cleared
The fence in Hybanks is in progress and now just waiting for the wire
Currently exploring funding for newt conservation and restoration of the ponds
The Hedgehog talk has been scheduled for April 29th 2026
There is also a talk on Swifts in the pipeline
Information boards – any ideas from the groups etc / locations would be welcome
Report from the Common Volunteers
The bramble clearance has been completed including the area by the windmill with the assistance of TP.
The group have cleared by Hector’s lane and Span Green.
Tidying under the power lines has taken place allowing the vegetation to grow
Next work will be sycamore sapling pulling
The Commander mower has been confirmed as written off by Tracmaster
Report from TP
TP confirmed that the goats have been moved to North Hills
TP has helped the Common Volunteers with tree removal and bramble clearance
FOBC report
RS confirmed that S42 has been completed.
The group is hoping to flail around S18.
The first aid kit has been received.
BVCH
The Common is looking good
North Hills grass had late growth and is looking very good and there hasn’t been any need to purchase any hay.
TB testing will be taking place on May 12th
Next move is likely at the end of May – early June, and likely to be south Hills
Spring / Summer Plan
The focus will be on Himalayn Balsam removal and ragwort pulling
The group need to have a method for the disposal of Ragwort
The group to arrange a Ragwort Pulling day
Encroachment
Any new areas to bring to the Parish Council
Springfiled Cottage
Grass cutting on the Common, need to establish and clarify the Council’s position
HLS Agreement / SFI
The Council has entered into another annual HLS agreement for 2026. This is to allow for further information to be disseminated to the Council for a longer term agreement starting in 2027.
The Group expressed unanimous support to apply for a new HLS agreement including a capital works for scrub clearance with an investigation into the value of including Span Green.
The Walks
Grass cutting -The Council is exploring options for cutting the grass in the Walks
AOB
Virtual fencing – The group was unanimous in its support to recommend the Parish Council investigate the usage of virtual fencing in the village
Cows in the Walks – potentially look at possibilities at the next meeting
Electric Bikes - The group expressed its concerns over electric bikes on North Hills and dogs and to bring this to the attention of the Parish Council
Possible new dog poo bins – The group to recommend possible new locations for additional dog bins