As an adjunct to the Green Flag Management Plan for The Common, at the Annual Parish Meeting (APM) in April, we launched an initiative to gather villagers opinions and to solicit interest in the creation of a Friends of Chipperfield Common group to create a community focus for people who want to help guide and participate in the maintenance of The Common . The response to the questionnaire we handed out at the APM was encouraging and on June 10 an inaugural meeting was held in the Small Hall for those people who had registered their interest in Friends of Chipperfield Common. The meeting was well attended, in spite of the weather and all the attendees registered their intent to participate. The speakers made it clear that the Group was for people of all ages and abilities who had an interest in The Common and wished to participate in caring for this unique and valuable part of Chipperfield.
Collin Chambers, the DBC tree warden, outlined the first agreed project which is the cataloguing of the 300 year old sweet chestnut trees. This is a careful observing and documenting exercise which will help, over time, to plot the progress and preservation of these ancient trees and their associated fauna and flora. Collin with his extensive knowledge of trees and woodlands will lead this project. Further down the road, literally and metaphorically, is the proposed restoration of the Pill Pond. So there are plenty of opportunities to participate, both physically and mentally. St Paul’s School has also registered their intention to participate, so we hope we may get parents interested too.
Your Council is pleased to announce that Friends of Chipperfield Common is now up and walking. If you wish to be involved please contact Claire Covington, DBC on 01442 228788, claire.covington@dacorum.gov.uk or Jo Deacon, Parish Clerk on 01923 266818 parishclerk@chipperfield.org.uk
For more Parish Council news please see page 6