I learned a lot through my involvement with the Commons project. I learned about the geology of the Chilterns, its rural and social history, and my geographic knowledge of the Chilterns stretched further northwards. I met several new and interesting people. I even discovered some interesting places close to our doorstep. Our nearby commons have areas of heathland, unusual in Oxfordshire. Heathland and the heather that grows on it needs to be nurtured and protected because of the wildlife it attracts and supports. I joined the Kingwood and Peppard Common Volunteers to help with this. Bracken and birch seedlings can quickly smother heather if left unchecked and for that reason volunteers are 'weeding' amongst the bell heather in the photo. August 2014
Author: C Ormonde