Learning from the Past Planning for the Future

Full Partnership Group Land management and building a2 relationshipnd December 2008 with the area’s commoners Setting the scene

Common land (a common), is a piece of land owned by one person or organisation, but over which other people can exercise certain traditional rights, such as allowing their livestock to graze upon it.

. Setting the scene

 Important part of our landscape for many reasons; economic, ecological, cultural and visual

 Increasingly important for informal recreation Setting the scene

 The Forgotten Landscapes area is 71 square kilometers of which about 48% or about 41 square kilometers is common land. It includes parts of 10 common land units

 These commons fall within Torfaen and County Borough Councils and County Council, with significant parts of the northern commons also falling within the Brecon Beacons National Park

 The 10 units are covered by four commoners’ associations, the Blorenge, Blaenavon, Llanhilleth and the & Commoners’ Associations Setting the scene

 Grazed by about 4,000 sheep, plus small numbers of cattle and ponies

 The numbers which could legally be grazed are much higher. For example, the Blorenge commoners have rights to graze 9,686 sheep, 184 cattle and 59 horses

 Most of those rights are no longer exercised. At about 30, the number of active graziers is relatively low for such an extensive area. Forgotten Landscapes

2007 FLP Consultation Phase

Problems most frequently raised by the commoners:

• Boundaries • Bracken • Dogs • Illegal off-road vehicles

FLP was the associations’ first experience of working together in delivering a landscape scale project with prescribed objectives and targets. Improving communication

 Prior to the FLP project the graziers had not had the opportunity to work together to deliver specific scheme objectives but had been working informally together for gathering, fencing and governance purposes

 As part of the arrangements for the FLP, a Commons Management Group (CMG) was established, with members selected from each CA to represent the views of their members in making decisions about project activity

 Loose association of individuals and does not operate within the terms of a constitution or a memorandum of understanding Improving communication Improving communication

 Recommendations that are presented to the CMG by the FLP that require further consideration are taken back to the members of each CA to be determined by consensus

 The nominated representative can, with delegated responsibility from his members, make decisions on behalf of his membership for those issues that do not require referral

 The CAs roles in FLP have been in the practical delivery of capital works to improve conditions on the common for grazing, providing advice to FLP staff and attending the CMG meetings to represent the views of their members Delivery on the ground

Commoners have participated in the following site works:

Bracken spraying

• Six graziers received accredited training to enable them to provide contracting services to FLP for the ground treatment of bracken. Their selection as contractors was subject to a value assessment in line with TCBC procurement procedures

• The FLP bracken control works was welcomed by the graziers and they felt it had been very beneficial Delivery on the ground

Bracken rolling

• This is the crushing of bracken using a tractor and ATV mounted rollers. The work was undertaken by qualified individuals within the CAs on a contractual basis using equipment purchased by the FLP

• The graziers felt that the reduction in bracken height and vigour had been beneficial as it had not only increased the amount of available grazing but had also improved their ability to shepherd, being easier to see the sheep and to work them with dogs Delivery on the ground

Heather cutting This activity relates to two elements of work: (i) the control and reduction of scrub / increasing structural diversity. (ii) the creation of strategic firebreaks.

• Again, commoner contractors undertook the work—it was felt that local farmers who know and understand the commons would best be suited to carry out the cutting

• Firebreaks provided a network within which controlled burns could safely take place. The breaks also provided routes for livestock, enabling them to move from one area to the next Delivery on the ground

Burning

• Participatory commoners received support in delivering controlled burning. A course was provided by FLP that assisted the commoners and FLP volunteers in understanding the regulations that relate to burning and assistance was provided in undertaking a number of controlled burns

• Burning plans were produced and applications for consents and burning plans were prepared by the FLP Commons Officer and submitted to NRW for assent Delivery on the ground

Fencing

• Fencing materials were provided to the CAs by FLP who then carried out the fencing works

• This was considered to be important, by restoring and repairing fencing livestock could be held on the common Delivery on the ground

Walls

• A number of volunteers have been trained as wallers to repair and restore boundary walls against the common. A walling plan, along with consultation with commoners allows volunteers to identify high priority walls Delivery on the ground

Related activities

• Commons Code of Conduct • Regional Wildfire Plan Moving forward…

“Activation of inactive rights and the “Voices to be heard recognised participation of rights holders” and valued”

“Younger graziers taking an interest” “Views taken into account”

“Grazing continued on the “Control of illegal 4x4 use on the common” commons” “Restoration of the traditional “Increase in the number of flocks” hefts”

“Reinvigorating the traditional management practices” Next steps…

 Formation of a constituted Blaenavon World Heritage Site Commons Management Group

 Develop a Blaenavon World Heritage Site Commons Working Group

 Engage with wider networks: FFCL Hill Farming Training Scheme

 Develop commons training opportunities: Centre for Upland Excellence?