Brill Parish Council Newsletter

June 2026 (vol 7, issue 6)

Why a Little Wildness Matters

by Fiona Bennett-Meere
Brill’s Wildlife & Community Ranger

Pretty wildflowers may attract the most attention but a healthy ecosystem depends on variety. Even over-looked plants - so-called “weeds” - play their part. Stinging nettles, for example, support more than 40 insect species and provide food and shelter for other wildlife. By allowing a little wildness into our green spaces - public and private - we create irreplaceable habitats and a thriving eco-system.

No Mow May

No Mow May has now finished. A nation-wide campaign led by Plantlife, every year No Mow May encourages us to pause mowing and allow wildflowers to bloom, providing nectar and shelter for pollinators. But supporting wildlife doesn’t stop on May 31st: We’re now in Let It Bloom June!

Let it Bloom June (also promoted by Plantlife) is all about rethinking how we manage green spaces throughout the growing season. It encourages us to see our surroundings differently. Rather than viewing every patch of greenery as something to be controlled, we can start seeing it as valuable habitat - and, in a village like Brill where the landscape and community are closely intertwined, that shift in perspective can as important as any wider management decision.

Let It Bloom June

We’re not neglecting ground that is left a little wild, we’re giving nature a chance to recover from a century of wildflower meadow depletion. Our efforts - or rather, lack of effort! - is quickly rewarded by the hum of pollinators, an abundance of wildflowers, and a growing variety of wildlife.

Why not join in with Let it Bloom June? Leave a corner of your garden uncut, allow nettles to flourish in an unused spot - or simply appreciate the movement and beauty of longer grass. Small changes can make a huge difference, I promise. Every wildflower left to bloom is a small step towards a wilder, richer Brill.

Brill Common this month

Our common is looking splendid right now; swathes of wildflowers, a rich diversity of plants and grasslands full of life. It’s so rewarding to see the impact of conservation work and countless volunteer hours reflected in the landscape. This month we’ll be carrying out detailed habitat surveys and comparing what we find with historical records. This work helps us understand how habitats are changing and ensures we continue to manage Brill Common for the widest possible range of wildlife.

Do come and say Hello if you see me out and about.

Bucks Council Annual Report

Buckinghamshire Council has just published its Annual Report. Here’s a few highlights (moving beyond the more mundane waste collections and pothole repairs):

• 844 learners have taken part in Skills Bootcamps with 84% completing their training and gaining a clear route into a secure job;

• Nearly £1 million has been invested in improving children’s play spaces;

• Opening hours at the county’s main libraries have been increased by 60% attracting nearly 6,000 new members;

• Planning enforcement activity has been “robust” with 66 notices issued to tackle breaches of planning permission;

• In accordance with the Council’s zero-tolerance approach to fly tipping, 72 fixed penalty notices have been issued and 12 prosecutions completed.

Bucks Council has also published its Local Nature Recovery Strategy (a requirement of the Environment Act of 2021). The Priorities & Measures appendix offers a nice summary. Particularly relevant to Brill are the sections on conserving woodland habitats (including looking after veteran trees), hedgerows and grasslands, and improving biodiversity in built-up areas.

A Warning for Online Shoppers

Report Fraud is urging online shoppers to stay alert for unusual activity on their accounts following a rise in criminal activity online.

Criminals are using login details obtained from data breaches to gain unauthorised access to retailer accounts. They can do this because so many people use the same password across multiple online accounts. Once in control of an individual’s account, criminals will place online orders for expensive goods and then collect the goods in-person at a physical store.

How to protect yourself

Here is what you can do to minimise risk:

1. Reset passwords. Change your password immediately if you notice any unauthorised activity on an online account. Do this for all accounts that use the same password. A good way to make sure your passwords are secure and strong is to combine 3 random words to create a unique password. If possible, opt to use a passkey (digital print or face recognition).

2. Enable 2SV. Whenever available, protect your online accounts by enabling 2-step verification.

3. Don’t give away bank details. Don’t allow your online shopping accounts to store your bank details.

If you have been a victim of fraud, report it on the Report Fraud website or call 0300 123 2040.

Brill Church Summer Cream Teas!
Can you help?

Hot summer sun out, cool calm within, tablecloths and posies, vintage china, homemade scones, lashing of jam, dollops of cream - yes, it’s (nearly) time for the Brill Church Cream Teas. Calories and chat aside, in a time of rising costs and falling receipts, the Cream Teas are All Saints’ biggest fundraiser - and we’re all invited to get involved. The pop-up teashop runs from July 18th to August 23rd (Saturdays and Sundays), 3pm to 5 pm and volunteers are needed to make cakes and scones, prepare and serve teas, and wash-up and clear away.

Please email Rachel Woolrich or call her on 07738 639858 if you can help. Three or four people are needed for each Saturday or Sunday and Rachel will slot you into the rota on the day of your choice. Alternatively, why not recruit friends, grandparents, teenagers and children to make up a team? (It might help to know that you don’t have to serve AND make scones and cakes - unless you want to do so!)

Yes, September is a long time off - but it’s never too soon to think about those photographs and handicrafts. The Brill Show page will soon be live on the BPC&C website.

Finally!

This newsletter is emailed every month to over 320 subscribers. We really appreciate everyone’s interest and support. If you’ve enjoyed reading, please mention the newsletter to friends, family and neighbours. Tell them there are two ways to subscribe:

• complete the form on welcome page of the BPC&C website

• email the Editor

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 Memorial Hall), in the pouch on the door of the Parish Office, and in All Saints Church and Brill shops.

Remember, you can read past newsletters and access lots of community and council information on the Brill Parish Council & Community website.

All good wishes, Brill Parish Council

PS A group of caterpillars is called an army - and a gathering of butterflies is officially called a kaleidoscope. Isn’t that lovely?