COMMON LANE NEWS autumn 2016
ANNUAL COMMON LANE PARTY
FRIDAY 21 OCTOBER
7 for 7.30pm
CORSCOMBE VILLAGE HALL
A get-together for all Common Lane fans.
Up-date on progress and plans for the future.
Lots of food and drink.
Everyone welcome! Don’t miss it!!
PHOTO COMPETITION
What a disappointment – especially for the TWO households who sent in lovely entries! They have received consolation prizes. You all missed out on the big one.
BOUNDARY STONE
The picture above is of the (rather small) stone we put up at the boundary between Halstock and Corscombe parishes. Perhaps one day we can move something bigger to the spot. Don’t confuse this with the rather similar stone near the Roman Villa site which seems to have fallen off the back of a cart...
The parish boundaries were marked out in AngloSaxon times in charters from King Aethelred (1014) and King Canute (1035), granting the area to Sherborne Abbey. Recent research has shown that these boundaries are almost exactly the same now and can be followed along hedge and stream lines! Common Lane is not mentioned in the charters but this spot is probably ‘Breowald’s house’. The rough bit of land there could be an ancient cottage plot?
NEWS FROM DORSET WILDLIFE TRUST
The part of Common Lane from the Roman Villa site to the parish boundaries is SNCI (Site of Nature Conservation Interest) but the whole Lane has interesting flora and fauna. The DWT nature reserve at Bracketts Coppice is a short step from the Lane and is a treasury of wildlife. The latest report from the Trust says there is an increase in greenwinged orchids and marsh fritillary butterflies; and bats in West Dorset, of which there are plenty in Bracketts Wood, have Whiskered and Brown Long-eared added to the list! The Reserve is a magic place and well worth a detour. Strong foot gear advised and no dogs please.
BRACKETTS COPPICE RESERVE size 38ha. Ancient woodland slopes down to a small fast-flowing stream. Swathes of wood anemones, with orchids providing colour to the open areas.The hay meadows are cut annually and wood pasture is grazed (Highland cows!), creating fields of wildflowers and butterflies.
What to see;woodland bird species
grey wagtails and kingfishers ( and otters if you’re lucky!)
rare wildflowers
butterflies
bats
many fungus species, especially in autumn
Sorry if you know all the above info – but we have more new members to enlighten. Hurray!
SUBSCRIPTIONS
That time of year again.
The financial year for the Common Lane Project runs from 1 Sept to 31 Aug. Accounts will be reported at the Annual party.
If your name is included below you do not owe anything till next September;
standing orders: Castleton, Craft, Dalton, Fry, Gaskell, Hallett, Harknett, FHennessy, Knox, Leonard, Lovegrove, Nethaway, Peake, J&DSmith;
paid for this year: Barrowcliff, Powell, Dearlove.
I hope this is right. I’m sure you’ll tell me if not!
Everyone else, I would be glad if you could let me have your £5 per household, cash or cheque (to Common Lane Project). Drop it in to me, to the Halstock Shop post rack, or bring to the Party.
SEE YOU THERE!
Freda Hennessy, Lilac Cottage, Corscombe DT2 0NU 01935 891 448