Wandsworth Council are, from the 1st July, introducing a new bye-law to restrict the number of dogs that can be walked together in their open spaces. The introduction of the law is in response to numerous complaints and petitions from residents and park users with concerns over safety, both towards humans and other dogs, dog fouling not being picked up, and intimidation, albeit unintentional.
Some people have assumed that this new bye-law also applies to Putney Heath, Putney Lower Common and the small part of Wimbledon Common that falls into Wandsworth Borough. This is not the case. The Conservators already have their own bye-law in place covering these areas which restricts dog-walkers (both professional and private) to a maximum of 4 dogs, or a maximum of 6 dogs with a licence issued by the Ranger's Office. This bye-law was brought in some years ago to help curb the professional dog-walkers, who were single-handedly walking up to 20 dogs or more at a time, and with very little understanding of how dogs' behaviour can change when they are in a pack situation.
The number of licences that can be issued each year is restricted and there is a waiting list for new licences. However, any Commons levy-payer wishing to have a licence to walk more than 4 dogs can be issued one on request and with proof that they are a levy-payer.
Friday, May 12, 2006
Friday, April 07, 2006
Payback
A Government sponsored initiative "Community Payback" has been launched involving the National Probation Service.
Unpaid Work - or Community Service as it was once known - has been in operation for over 30 years and is one of probation's most successful interventions. Offenders are sentenced by the courts to perform up to 300 hours of Unpaid Work for the benefit of the community. A sentence of Unpaid Work is often ordered by magistrates for offences such as anti-social behaviour, vandalism and graffiti.
Community Payback is an initiative to involve the public in the selection of Unpaid Work projects which allows the Probabtion service, Metropolitan Police and local authorities to use the Communty Punishment Offenders in a scheme called "Payback". This involves working in the community to improve conditions and public safety.
A group of offenders have been carrying out their "Payback" work on Putney Heath, helping to open up some areas of dense scrub and undergrowth to keep the pathways clear and improve visibility which will help to keep the area safe for regular Commons users.
Unpaid Work - or Community Service as it was once known - has been in operation for over 30 years and is one of probation's most successful interventions. Offenders are sentenced by the courts to perform up to 300 hours of Unpaid Work for the benefit of the community. A sentence of Unpaid Work is often ordered by magistrates for offences such as anti-social behaviour, vandalism and graffiti.
Community Payback is an initiative to involve the public in the selection of Unpaid Work projects which allows the Probabtion service, Metropolitan Police and local authorities to use the Communty Punishment Offenders in a scheme called "Payback". This involves working in the community to improve conditions and public safety.
A group of offenders have been carrying out their "Payback" work on Putney Heath, helping to open up some areas of dense scrub and undergrowth to keep the pathways clear and improve visibility which will help to keep the area safe for regular Commons users.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Retirement of Conservators
Farewell to Two Long-Serving Commons Conservators
At the March Board meeting of the Wimbledon & Putney Commons Conservators the Chairman, David Devons, expressed his sadness at the retirement on 5 April of two of the elected Conservators, Elizabeth Witts and Tony Drakeford.
The Chairman commented, “Elizabeth Witts has been a Conservator for 27 years, and has been Chairman for eight years, made up of two periods of five and three years, respectively. She has an enormous experience and knowledge of the working of the Commons, which has been of immense value to the Board. Her determination, perseverance and sound judgment has constantly kept the Conservators on the right course. She has frequently brought the Conservators down to earth by asking whether a considered course of action was “good for the Commons”. This has earned her the epithet “the conscience of the Commons”. As Elizabeth will not be moving out of the area, I am sure that the Office and the Board will continue to receive her comments and advice!”
“Tony Drakeford has been a Conservator for 12 years and Vice-Chairman since 1997. Before I became a Conservator, also in 1994, I had known of Tony simply as “the butterfly man”. This description was clearly incomplete because Tony is just as knowledgeable on birds, insects, fish, trees and plants; if it moves or grows, Tony knows all about it. He is also well-known for his frequent public walks on the Commons, which are both informative and amusing. Even if Tony does move to Kingston, I hope he will still keep an eye on the Commons.”
At the March Board meeting of the Wimbledon & Putney Commons Conservators the Chairman, David Devons, expressed his sadness at the retirement on 5 April of two of the elected Conservators, Elizabeth Witts and Tony Drakeford.
The Chairman commented, “Elizabeth Witts has been a Conservator for 27 years, and has been Chairman for eight years, made up of two periods of five and three years, respectively. She has an enormous experience and knowledge of the working of the Commons, which has been of immense value to the Board. Her determination, perseverance and sound judgment has constantly kept the Conservators on the right course. She has frequently brought the Conservators down to earth by asking whether a considered course of action was “good for the Commons”. This has earned her the epithet “the conscience of the Commons”. As Elizabeth will not be moving out of the area, I am sure that the Office and the Board will continue to receive her comments and advice!”
“Tony Drakeford has been a Conservator for 12 years and Vice-Chairman since 1997. Before I became a Conservator, also in 1994, I had known of Tony simply as “the butterfly man”. This description was clearly incomplete because Tony is just as knowledgeable on birds, insects, fish, trees and plants; if it moves or grows, Tony knows all about it. He is also well-known for his frequent public walks on the Commons, which are both informative and amusing. Even if Tony does move to Kingston, I hope he will still keep an eye on the Commons.”
Friday, March 24, 2006
National Schoolboys Rugby 7s
The Conservators were honoured to once again play host to the National Schools Sevens Tournament this year. The Tournament began in 1939 and has been played at the Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields for the last 30 years. In previous years the games have been split between the REMPF and adjoining Merton Playing Fields. This year, for the first time, we hosted all the matches at REMPF.
16 public schools founded the original Sevens Tournament but such was the popularity of the event that it soon spread to the massive event it is today, with some 7,000 schoolboys and girls from grammar, comprehensive and preparatory schools also participating. The Tournament also has an internation feel to it with many of the UK schools playing host to teams from South Africa, Eastern Europe, Hungary, Switzerland and Kiev.
Many famous names began their illustrious carreers playing in the tournament, including Gareth Edwards, Rob Andrew, Rory Underwood, Lawrence Dallaglio, Phil de Glanville, Tim Rodber, Neil Back, Rob Wainwright, Craig Quinnell and Matt Dawson.
We wish all the teams taking part in today's finals the best of luck!
16 public schools founded the original Sevens Tournament but such was the popularity of the event that it soon spread to the massive event it is today, with some 7,000 schoolboys and girls from grammar, comprehensive and preparatory schools also participating. The Tournament also has an internation feel to it with many of the UK schools playing host to teams from South Africa, Eastern Europe, Hungary, Switzerland and Kiev.
Many famous names began their illustrious carreers playing in the tournament, including Gareth Edwards, Rob Andrew, Rory Underwood, Lawrence Dallaglio, Phil de Glanville, Tim Rodber, Neil Back, Rob Wainwright, Craig Quinnell and Matt Dawson.
We wish all the teams taking part in today's finals the best of luck!
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Cyclists V Dog Walkers
We often get calls in the Ranger's Office from dog walkers complaining about cyclists cycling too fast, where they shouldn't be or not showing any consideration for walkers.
We also get calls, albeit not so often, from cyclists complaining that dog walkers are not showing them any consideration and letting their dogs run around the cyclist or even, on occasions, attack the cyclists.
The Common is for everyone and the Conservators have to balance the very diverse needs of all the Commons users. No one group is favoured and we try to do the best we can for everyone but that does take a little co-operation and understanding from all the groups of people using the Commons.
So, cyclists, please stick to the cycle paths and show consideration for other Commons users.
And dog walkers...you are lucky in that you can walk pretty much where you like on the Common but that means you will cross paths with all the other Commons users and you will have to show a greater degree of consideration to them. A few rules of thumb for dog walkers:
Be aware that other users of the Commons may not appreciate your dog bounding up to them, barking and jumping all over them, especially young children, the elderly and cyclists. If your dog is excitable and exuberant, please keep him/her in your sight and under control at all times. And just because a cyclist may not be where they should be doesn't mean that you can completely ignore them and let your dog bother them.
If your dog is pestering other Commons users, call your dog back to you immediately.
If you drive to the Commons and park in one of the car parks, please try to clear up after your dogs and dispose of the waste in the dog-waste bins around the car park areas. The areas around the car parks are particularly prone to being minefields and don't smell very pleasant in the summer!
If you walk your dogs at the Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields....remember that children play rugby and football here so clear up your dogs' waste and take it home with you.
Don’t let your dog yap/bark for long periods – it really can spoil other people’s enjoyment of the Commons.
Join a dog training class if you have a young, "difficult" or maybe a rescue dog. You will enjoy your dog’s company more if you are confident that it he or she is obedient.
Please help us to keep the Commons a pleasant place for all of those that choose to use it.
We also get calls, albeit not so often, from cyclists complaining that dog walkers are not showing them any consideration and letting their dogs run around the cyclist or even, on occasions, attack the cyclists.
The Common is for everyone and the Conservators have to balance the very diverse needs of all the Commons users. No one group is favoured and we try to do the best we can for everyone but that does take a little co-operation and understanding from all the groups of people using the Commons.
So, cyclists, please stick to the cycle paths and show consideration for other Commons users.
And dog walkers...you are lucky in that you can walk pretty much where you like on the Common but that means you will cross paths with all the other Commons users and you will have to show a greater degree of consideration to them. A few rules of thumb for dog walkers:
Be aware that other users of the Commons may not appreciate your dog bounding up to them, barking and jumping all over them, especially young children, the elderly and cyclists. If your dog is excitable and exuberant, please keep him/her in your sight and under control at all times. And just because a cyclist may not be where they should be doesn't mean that you can completely ignore them and let your dog bother them.
If your dog is pestering other Commons users, call your dog back to you immediately.
If you drive to the Commons and park in one of the car parks, please try to clear up after your dogs and dispose of the waste in the dog-waste bins around the car park areas. The areas around the car parks are particularly prone to being minefields and don't smell very pleasant in the summer!
If you walk your dogs at the Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields....remember that children play rugby and football here so clear up your dogs' waste and take it home with you.
Don’t let your dog yap/bark for long periods – it really can spoil other people’s enjoyment of the Commons.
Join a dog training class if you have a young, "difficult" or maybe a rescue dog. You will enjoy your dog’s company more if you are confident that it he or she is obedient.
Please help us to keep the Commons a pleasant place for all of those that choose to use it.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Clearance at Putney Lower Common
We are currently carrying out some clearance work at Putney Lower Common. Our Maintenance staff are removing some sycamores that have been affected by Sooty Bark Disease, a fungal infection. They are also clearing some of the bramble undergrowth in some areas to open up some pathways and improve visibility which will help to keep the area safe for regular Commons users.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Controlled Burning
On Monday afternoon we had many concerned members of the public calling in to report a fire on the Common. Indeed, a very concerned member of the public called the fire brigade and two engines turned up to put out the blaze!
The fire was actually started deliberately by our staff and this is a comment from Dave Haldane, our Wildlife Liaison Officer, explaining why:
"In accordance with best practice for heath and acid grassland management, selected areas of Wimbledon and Putney Commons receive an annual controlled burn. This is carried out between November and early March. The fire is designed to burn off accumulated plant litter thereby reducing nutrient availability that would otherwise increase soil fertility, something that you don't want for acid grassland. Heather, when subjected to a light burn, will successfully regenerate from its stem base and a high percentage of viable seed will germinate. Heathland and Acid grasslands are found on nutrient poor soils with a pH of 4.5 to 5.3. Only small areas of heath and grassland are managed annually, using fire as a tool. This limits disturbance to soil fauna dependent on the presence of moisture and plant litter."
We had advised the Fire Brigade before we lit the fires but they are, of course, duty bound to attend should they be called out. Whilst we did not need them on this occasion, we would still rather that concerned members of the public call them should they see any fires on the Common, particularly in the summer months, as an out of control fire could cause tremendous damage. We do have the capability of dealing with small fires ourselves so a call to the Ranger's Office to let us know about a fire means we can deploy our staff immediately and that will often be enough to ensure that the fire is put out quickly and does not spread.
The fire was actually started deliberately by our staff and this is a comment from Dave Haldane, our Wildlife Liaison Officer, explaining why:
"In accordance with best practice for heath and acid grassland management, selected areas of Wimbledon and Putney Commons receive an annual controlled burn. This is carried out between November and early March. The fire is designed to burn off accumulated plant litter thereby reducing nutrient availability that would otherwise increase soil fertility, something that you don't want for acid grassland. Heather, when subjected to a light burn, will successfully regenerate from its stem base and a high percentage of viable seed will germinate. Heathland and Acid grasslands are found on nutrient poor soils with a pH of 4.5 to 5.3. Only small areas of heath and grassland are managed annually, using fire as a tool. This limits disturbance to soil fauna dependent on the presence of moisture and plant litter."
We had advised the Fire Brigade before we lit the fires but they are, of course, duty bound to attend should they be called out. Whilst we did not need them on this occasion, we would still rather that concerned members of the public call them should they see any fires on the Common, particularly in the summer months, as an out of control fire could cause tremendous damage. We do have the capability of dealing with small fires ourselves so a call to the Ranger's Office to let us know about a fire means we can deploy our staff immediately and that will often be enough to ensure that the fire is put out quickly and does not spread.
Monday, February 27, 2006
A sad day
Many of the regular Commons walkers will know Bisto, the German Shepherd owned by Bill, our Senior Keeper. Many of you will also know that just over a year ago, Bisto had an operation after the vet found cancer in his nose.
Unfortunately the vet was unable to remove all the cancer and Bisto's time would be limited, perhaps a year or so. It was a true diagnosis. A few months ago the cancer returned and Bisto has been going down hill since. He seemed happy enough and he was always pleased to see everyone but over the last few weeks his condition worsened and Bill had to make the decision to end his suffering.
Bisto will be sorely missed by all the staff and all who knew him. He was Bill's constant companion and wherever Bill was, Bisto was never far from his side.
Run free Bisto
Unfortunately the vet was unable to remove all the cancer and Bisto's time would be limited, perhaps a year or so. It was a true diagnosis. A few months ago the cancer returned and Bisto has been going down hill since. He seemed happy enough and he was always pleased to see everyone but over the last few weeks his condition worsened and Bill had to make the decision to end his suffering.
Bisto will be sorely missed by all the staff and all who knew him. He was Bill's constant companion and wherever Bill was, Bisto was never far from his side.
Run free Bisto
Burning on the Common
We will be doing some burning on Wimbledon Common this afternoon in the area between the Green Ride and the Millenium Ride. The fire brigade are aware and it will all be contolled by our experienced staff.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Election Results
The results of the Wimbledon & Putney Commons Conservators’ election have been received from the Electoral Reform Services for the election of Conservators for Wimbledon and Putney Commons .
The following five candidates were elected:
Diana de Coverly Veale
David Devons
John Horrocks
Norman Plastow MBE
Andrew Simon
There are eight Conservators, three of which are appointed by Government Departments and five are elected by the 63,000 levypayers living within ¾ mile of the Commons. We were slightly disappointed that the voting figures showed that only 21% of levypayers voted. But that was a huge improvement on three years ago when just over 10% of levypayers voted.
The following five candidates were elected:
Diana de Coverly Veale
David Devons
John Horrocks
Norman Plastow MBE
Andrew Simon
There are eight Conservators, three of which are appointed by Government Departments and five are elected by the 63,000 levypayers living within ¾ mile of the Commons. We were slightly disappointed that the voting figures showed that only 21% of levypayers voted. But that was a huge improvement on three years ago when just over 10% of levypayers voted.
Election for Conservators
Voting papers are going out this week (starting 18 January) to the 62,000 levypayers for the election of five Conservators who will sit on the Board which owns and manages Wimbledon Common, Putney Heath and Putney Lower Common. Everyone who lives within the area who pays the Commons’ levy (as part of their Council Tax) and is on the Electoral Roll can vote. It is a postal ballot organised by Electoral Reform Ballot Services. The voting area covers Putney, Roehampton, Wimbledon and a small part of Kingston . There are nine candidates for the five places to be filled. They are Diana de Coverly Veale, David Devons, Elaine Fletcher, John Rice and John Weir from Putney; John Horrocks from Roehampton, and Dr Stephen Frank, Norman Plastow and Andrew Simon from Wimbledon. Three of the candidates are existing Conservators and six are hoping to be elected for the first time.
The voting form needs to be returned to Electoral Reform Ballot Services to arrive by 15 February. Biographical details of the candidates can be found here
Please note that the forms are sent out to all those on the Electoral Register as at June 2005. If you do not receive your voting papers within the next few days, please call the Ranger's Office on 020 8788 7655.
We appreciate that the Electoral Register will have changed since June 2005 and that some people will receive forms for people no longer at that address or won't receive forms if they have recently moved to an address. We apologise for this but the timing of the election is such that we cannot wait for the up-dated Electoral Register from December. The Ranger's Office cannot help with any changes to the Electoral Register, for that you should contact your local Council: Wandsworth, Merton or Kingston
The voting form needs to be returned to Electoral Reform Ballot Services to arrive by 15 February. Biographical details of the candidates can be found here
Please note that the forms are sent out to all those on the Electoral Register as at June 2005. If you do not receive your voting papers within the next few days, please call the Ranger's Office on 020 8788 7655.
We appreciate that the Electoral Register will have changed since June 2005 and that some people will receive forms for people no longer at that address or won't receive forms if they have recently moved to an address. We apologise for this but the timing of the election is such that we cannot wait for the up-dated Electoral Register from December. The Ranger's Office cannot help with any changes to the Electoral Register, for that you should contact your local Council: Wandsworth, Merton or Kingston
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Lost a Dog?
Today we had a Golden Retriever handed in to the Ranger's Office. The poor boy had been wandering the Common all morning until a kind member of the public brought him in to us. He had no tag and so no visible means of us being able to identify him and return him safely to his owners. Unfortunately we do not have the facility to scan dogs for microchips here.
He has now been taken to Stone Lion vets who have scanned him and will hopefully be able to reunite him with his owners.
Did you know that it is illegal for your dog not to have any visible means of owner idenitifcation? You can be liable to a fine of up to £5,000. It doesn't take much time and nor is it very expensive to get a tag for your pet and have it engraved with your phone number, and it can save a lot of worry.
Please, get your dog tagged.
He has now been taken to Stone Lion vets who have scanned him and will hopefully be able to reunite him with his owners.
Did you know that it is illegal for your dog not to have any visible means of owner idenitifcation? You can be liable to a fine of up to £5,000. It doesn't take much time and nor is it very expensive to get a tag for your pet and have it engraved with your phone number, and it can save a lot of worry.
Please, get your dog tagged.
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