25 June 2008
City of London takes over ownership of Stoke Common
A plaque was unveiled on Friday 20 June to mark the occasion of
the City of London Corporation taking over ownership and management
of Stoke Common in Buckinghamshire.
Local residents and schoolchildren as well as those who work and
volunteer on the Commons were brought together at this special
celebration which include samba drumming and band performances.
Amongst the distinguished guests at the event were Sheriff of the
City of London Alderman Michael Bear, Chief Commoner John Barker
Chairman of the Epping Forest City Commons Wendy Mead, Chairman of
Open Spaces Janet Own and Open Spaces Superintendent Andy
Barnard.
The site, which is currently owned by South Buckinghamshire
District Council will be transferred into ownership of the City of
London to ensure that it is protected forever as a public open
space and Site of Special Scientific Interest.
The Common is two miles from Burnham Beeches, which is also
managed by the City of London Corporation. Burnham Beeches also
contains several significant areas of remnant heathland, reflecting
the fact that centuries ago, both sites were part of the same
landscape.
The City and its team at Burnham Beeches have had excellent
support from the local communities during the transfer process and
have entered into a three year partnership with the British
Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV). Together the BTCV and
City will re-form the ‘Friends of Stoke Common’ group to provide
both an enthusiastic group of people to help look after the Common
and a valuable training and development opportunity for all who
participate.
Sheriff of the City of London Alderman Michael Bear says: "I was
delighted to attend the transfer of such a wonderful park to the
City of London Corporation. The park will be preserved by our
excellent Open Spaces team as a place for leisure, relaxation and
contemplation for local residents. We look forward to working with
local communities to ensure it remains a tranquil and beautiful
place of retreat for both visitors and wildlife."
The small, but dedicated team that manages Burnham Beeches will
take on the additional duty of looking after Stoke Common. The City
of London Corporation intends to increase the money available to
maintain Stoke Common to ensure all necessary recreation and
conservation requirements are met.
Ends
Notes to editors:
At 80 hectares, Stoke Common contains the largest remnant of
Buckinghamshire’s once extensive heathland. It plays an important
role in providing habitats for some very rare plants, animals and
insects. Stoke Common has been an area of open common land for more
than two hundred years. By 1867, the Charity Commission had assumed
responsibility for the Common’s Trust and in 1972 the site was
designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. In 1993, the
ownership and management responsibilities passed to the South
Buckinghamshire District Council.
The City of London is an unusually diverse organisation that
supports and promotes the Square Mile as the world’s leading
international financial and business centre and provides local
government and police services for workers, residents and visitors.
It also provides valued services to London and the nation as a
whole including management of Guildhall Art Gallery, the Barbican
Centre, the Central Criminal Court at Old Bailey, 10,700
acres/4,240 hectares of open space (including Hampstead Heath,
Epping Forest and Burnham Beeches), three wholesale food markets
and acts as London’s Port Health Authority.