We are very pleased to announce that we are now placing regular articles in the 'In Touch'  magazine for Kesgrave and Rushmere and the local Parish magazine. These give details about the work that is currently being carried out on the common as well as future plans, some history and facts. Below is the article that is being featured in the magazines for January. We hope these articles will be interesting and informative to regular users of the common as well as readers not so familiar with this wonderful space.

Rushmere Commoners Committee

 

The RCC hopes all users of the Common have enjoyed the common over the last year and will continue to do so in the coming new year.  It’s our aim to promote a wildlife space that can be enjoyed by as many as possible.  It’s been a busy year on the Common with lots of work being carried out to keep the paths clear, maintain trees damaged by weather, diversity management (including sapling removal) and general safety work.   

We are delighted to announce that the RCC and RGC have come together, "going halves" to fund a new defibrillator cabinet, ensuring 24/7 access to this life-saving equipment available to the entire community. The cabinet required hard-wiring in, as it is kept at a constant temperature to protect the defib device.

Work on the burnt area alongside the 1st fairway has started, with the JCB coming onto site on 30th November and starting to form the “windrows” which will make a great habitat for reptiles amongst other things.  Other major work to be carried out over the winter will be clearing an area on the bank near the pond.  This is primarily for safety reasons and to maintain diversity in this area. 

Reminder the course is being played in reverse i.e., play starts on the 10th and finishes on the 9th. Over the winter period the RGC will also be filling in some bunkers, to improve the playability of the course.   

If you are walking in low light, please be careful and stick to the main paths and the open areas.  The golf club has put some ropes and posts (replacing old white hoops) up to manage the golf traffic and protect some areas of the course from wear and tear. Please familiarise yourselves with these and respect them. Many of the other areas have stumps, brambles and fallen branches etc which make the area more hazardous. 

The common has drained well after all the rain, however several areas remain muddy and slippery.  On the hills some gullies have opened up where heavy rain has been channelled and extra care needs to be taken around these.

We are still looking for volunteers to join the management committee to set the future direction and ensure the future of this wonderful shared space. The Committee tends to meet quarterly to discuss the management of the Common, matters arising and the strategic direction of the charity.  Some committee members have additional responsibilities and are more involved with the operation of the management plan etc. but commitment is as much as you can give.  If you are interested, please contact the clerk.

E: clerkrushcommoners@gmail.com

W: http://rushmerecommonerstrustees.onesuffolk.net/