General News
Ilketshall St. Andrew & St. John
A County Wildlife Site and area of historic importance
General News
- 2024
- 15th June. Rainfall for the year so far amounts to 321mm
- The sheep together with their lambs were moved onto Peardyke Common and most recently Little Common. The plan is for the flock to be taken away by the end of April. The success of this trial grazing initiative will then be evaluated and decisions made as to whether the practice will be repeated in the future.
- There have been separate incidents of vandalism in relation to the electric fence enclosing the sheep and lambs. The situation is being monitored and the police informed. The first incident concerned the deliberate disconnection of the electric fence whilst the flock were on Great Common whilst the second incident happened on Peardyke when the entire electric fence was deliberately taken down. The culprit responsible for the incident on Great Common had been identified and it is hoped no further problems will arise in the future.
- For the first time in over 40 years a commercial flock of sheep can be seen grazing on Great Common. It is hoped this trial initiative will help with the management of the over-wintered areas. If successful the LMC will consider extending the practice to other parts of the Commons.
- The AGM of the Land Management Company will take place at the Village Hall on Monday 19th February at 7.00 for 7.30pm
- Rainfall recorded at Little Common for 2023 - 733mm
- 2023
- 20th December. RES Solar Farm. The Board of the LMC wishes to make the following statement: ‘The LMC opposes the plans and proposals of RES whereby they wish to have access to, and use, Common Land for the purposes of creating vehicular passing places. Furthermore, the LMC also opposes the planned site access route, where it abuts any of the Commons’.
- 15th December. RES Solar Farm. The LMC would like to thank those individuals that have submitted their concerns surrounding the proposed access route to the solar farm and the associated vehicular passing places, some of which fall upon Common Land. The Board of the LMC will meet next week to discuss the proposal with a view to formalising an opinion and making a response.
- Lea Ingham (Commoner) and Jack Poulden (Parishioner) appointed as additional new Directors to the Board of the Land Management Company.
- Rainfall 1st October to 22nd October - 113mm
- Rainfall 1st January to 22nd October - 554mm
- 20th October. Approximately 50mm of rain fell within a period of 12 hours.
- 3rd September. Fantastic display of Devil’s-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis) on Great Common. Located between the village hall and the track leading to English and Rose Cottages. Photographs also displayed on the Gallery page of this web site.
- Rainfall 1st January to 30th August - 390mm
- The unseasonal wet weather has caused a delay in the completion of this years annual commons grass/hay cut. Whilst the larger areas along Great Common Lane and Becks Green were cut on 10th July there are still other areas standing as of 4th August. Early indications are the yield will be marginally lower this year than last, although it has been reported, those areas which have been cut are of good quality and weight.
- The ponds on the commons of Ilketshall St. Andrew have been put on the map nationally! The pond on Great Common, to the front of The Homestead and Vine Cottage, is one of only seven ponds in the UK where the ‘Slimy Fruited Stonewort’ has been recorded. We can also announce the nationally scarce Clustered Stonewort was also identified, being in only fourteen or so ponds in Suffolk.
- The directors of the Land Management Company wish to thank everyone who attended the AGM. It was great to see so many people engaging with the management of the commons. Several suggestions were forthcoming which will be considered as we progress through the year.
- The AGM of the Land Management Company will take place at the Village Hall on Monday 20th February at 7.00 for 7.30pm
- 2022
- 9th December. Cold snap with minus 7.8 degrees Celsius recorded.
- 3rd July. The annual hay cut was started.
- June. Orchids flowering on Holdens Common.
- 26th June. Village Open Gardens.
- 7th May. Cuckoo heard over Great Common.
- The AGM of the Land Management Company will be held at 7.00pm on Monday 14th February. Due to the ongoing Covid issues the intention is to hold this meeting by Zoom. If you would like to attend contact one of the Board members,or send an e-mail via (info@ilketshallcommons.co.uk) and we will send you the joining details.
- 2021
- The management of the over-wintered area on Great Common has resulted in a lovely display of Devil’s-bit Scabious. Click on the Gallery to see the photo’s.
- The grass cut from the commons yielded 77% more than last year.
- The annual hay cut commenced on the 14th July and first indications are for a high yield.
- At the AGM the question of managing habitat to protect Sneezewort and Devil’s-bit scabious was highlighted. As a result, and following an on-site meeting, an area running parallel to Great Common Lane, between the Village Hall and the track leading to English Cottage, will be left as over-wintered.
- The AGM of the Land Management Company was held on the 15th February by Zoom.
- 2020
- 140 questionnaires were distributed to households in the two Parishes in November 2020. The object was to gain an insight as to views for the long-term objectives of the Commons. A total of 32 responses were received, representing a response rate of almost 23%. An analysis of the questionnaire can be viewed by following the link.
- The yield of hay/grass was down on 2019 but not to the extent as reported previously.
- If you are interested in attending a volunteer work party please contact Chris Roberts or any of the LMC directors.
- A final bench seat will be installed on Great Common North during the winter months.
- Unauthorised flailing of some verges and ditches has been noticed on Great Common. Such works can jeopardise Stewardship Agreements and be harmful to wildlife. Persons responsible are reminded such work is not permitted.
- Monitoring by Waveney Bird Club indicates Barn Owls have successfully bred on the Commons this year.
- First indications are that grass yields are down 50% on last year.
- The annual hay cut commenced on 4th July.
- April/May has seen Green-winged Orchids flowering.
- The grass pathways around the commons are due their first cut by the end of April. During May strimming will be done around bench seats, information boards and some gateways.
- In January applications from any Commoner or Parishioner were invited to become a Director on the ‘Board’ of the Land Management Company. The only applications received were from the current officers who were duly re-elected by the Commoners Association and the Parish Council.
- Our AGM was held at the Village Hall on 17th February.