Mainly through the Henley Wildlife Group and the toad patrols, I already knew Rachel Sanderson of the Chilterns Conservation Board when she became the leader of the five-year Chilterns Commons project. This encouraged me to offer myself as a volunteer. The project recognised the value of the commons and that many were becoming neglected through being underused and in danger of being lost for good. People as individuals, or as part of local communities, were encouraged to make the most of them for outdoor recreation. The project also aimed to inspire and enable people to study and care for these assets. I was asked to take photographs to illustrate talks, self-guided walks and leaflets, while I also got involved in the care and restoration of some of the commons. It renewed my acquaintance with Moorend Common, where during the summer months I marvelled at the large colony of southern marsh orchids and, at a separate location, heath spotted orchids (shown here). July 2012*
Author: C Ormonde