Countryside Stewardship Funds

Monument GTC

Torrington Commons Win Government Countryside Stewardship Funds

Waterloo Monument Restoration To Go Ahead

When the Torrington Commons were gifted to the residents of Great Torrington, they were given the right to graze their livestock. Historically, sheep roamed but due to no fencing being allowed on the Common and its increasing use for public recreation, Torrington Commons have not been grazed since sheep were removed in 1981.

In the absence of grazing the character of the Commons has changed over time, leading to a reduction in meadowland and the spread of scrub and woodland. With the support of the Devon Wildlife Trust and Natural England, the Great Torrington Commons Conservators submitted a maintenance plan to the Government’s Rural Payments Agency, Interventions were proposed to increase biodiversity of the meadows, protect, and enhance the remaining grassland parcels and prevent their reversion to woodland.

Maintaining Torrington Commons currently costs some £70,000 per annum, for which the Commons Conservators rely upon grant income and charitable donations. In response, the Rural Payment Agency has agreed to contribute over £6,000 annually towards conserving the nature of Torrington Commons and its wildlife, for the next 10 yrs.

The Agency has also offered capital grants towards hay cutting, the planting of wildflower plugs in Reeds Field and Clarkes Meadow, harrowing and wildflower seed spreading in Tantons Plain. In addition, funds are also available to launch the restoration of the Waterloo Monument on Castle Hill. The public will be asked to cooperate where these capital works are going on.  Restoration of the Monument will require the erection of scaffolding and, in restoring the three wildflower meadows, walkers will be asked to keep to designated footpaths, to keep their dogs on leads, and pick up their dog poo.

Anyone with concerns about the work should write to the Clerk to the Great Torrington Commons Conservators, Castle Hill, Torrington, Devon, EX38 8AA.

David Nudd Conservator.

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