On Minchinhampton Common

I picked Woodpeckers up from her teaching job this afternoon and suggested we drove up from there at the bottom of the Golden Valley near Brimscombe to Minchinhampton Common, which straddles the ridge directly above. We drove up the combe and headed to the far side, as I wanted to see the views across to the Severn Vale. Sadly the views were limited by some large old houses with big Cotswold stone walls enclosing their estates.

We headed back on foot towards the centre of the common as i wanted to examine the old dew pond which was re-established a couple of years ago. This winter it has been completely full and I had noticed it when driving across the common. It is sited on the edge of the old golf course where the land starts to slope down into the Golden Valley above Brimscombe.

This old dew pond would have been created to form a place for watering animals who are allowed to graze the open common land under the ancient rights of Commoners, which I think originated before the Norman conquest. The extensive common is a very ancient site itself, with Iron Age and Roman period earthworks stretching for several miles. On a certain date every spring the Commoners can bring their cattle and horses to wander anywhere on the common until October. The roads leading onto the common have cattle grids and drivers must be very careful as the animals have the right of way. Sadly there are accidents each year, but I have never seen one.

We didn't stay too long as Woodpeckers was very tired after her busy week of work, street blips and poetry. But we will return there as in summer it is delightful to be up high and to be able to see across the distant landscape in all directions, after spending most of our time down in the valleys. I thought I saw a swift flying over the pond. Uusually the most common bird around there is the skylark, which I hope to film again in the next few months.