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 Commons and greens: the role of local councils

by Hugh Craddock, Case officer, Open Spaces Society

LEGAL MATTERS

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A former Swanley Town Council Ford Ranger pick-up truck is heading for Ukraine.

PICK-UP AID FOR UKRAINE

A former SWANLEY Town Council Ford Ranger is on its way to Ukraine to deliver urgent medical aid. The vehicle had reached the end of its useful operational life and was scheduled to be scrapped or sold at auction. However, a resident of the Kent town approached the council with an offer to match the price already quoted by the auction firm. When the council learned of the intended purpose for the vehicle, the decision was an easy one and it set off for the war-torn country loaded with vital medical aid to support frontline services and save lives. It aligns with the council’s commitment to Ukraine, following its twinning with a Ukrainian city in 2023.

St George arrives in Aylesbury as part of the town’s Women in History Fayre.

PATRON SAINT BRINGS AYLESBURY TO LIFE

St George’s Day saw AYLESBURY town centre come alive with a Women in History Fayre and parade delivered by the Buckinghamshire town council. The event, held across Market Square, Friars Square, and the historical King’s Head saw performances, activities, and historical experiences. Visitors enjoyed a range of interactive displays and performances, including Wonder Women of the War, which highlighted the contributions and experiences of women during wartime, alongside appearances from historical characters and costumed performers. A highlight was the arrival of St George on horseback. He led the uniformed parade, which featured Scouts, Girlguiding groups, cadets, and local dignitaries.

PUBLIC VOTE FOR CLEANING TRUCK NAMES

Sweep Caroline and Optimus Grime have taken to the streets of SHREWSBURY after the town council appealed for public help in naming new cleaning vehicles. The vehicles feature a new logo with a design showcasing iconic elements of the Shropshire town, created by local graphic designer Alison Staples, of Romy Design. The 15-tonne road sweeper has been officially named Sweep Caroline, while the 3.5-tonne road sweeper is called Optimus Grime. Both names were selected by public vote. Following the transfer of responsibilities the street cleaning service is in charge of litter picking, bin emptying, mechanical street sweeping and graffiti removal.

TREE CARVER MAKES A HANDY TRANSFORMATION

You have to hand it to Somerset tree carver Tim Pearn, who has transformed a stump in NORTH PETHERTON Cemetery. The town council reluctantly agreed that a cedar tree should be felled on safety grounds. About 20 feet of the trunk would be left and the idea of a wood carving was explored. Local tree carver Tim suggested the top could be carved into the shape of two hands pressed together, generally understood as a gesture of reverence, respect and greeting.

Darlington residents celebrate the preservation of the historic Blackwell Parkland as a village green.

HISTORIC PARKLAND SAVED AS VILLAGE GREEN

THE Open Spaces Society is pleased that DARLINGTON Borough Council has agreed voluntarily to register Blackwell Parkland as a village green. Britain’s oldest national conservation body backed the community in its quest to protect this historic parkland in the heart of the County Durham town. It marked a significant milestone in the long-running effort to protect the 42-acre historic parkland, which had been safeguarded from development after lengthy campaigning. Work to secure the site’s future resumed in April 2025, when the Parkland Heritage Network was asked to prepare a robust case for designation under the Open Spaces Society’s Grant-a-Green campaign.

A team of secret shoppers are out and about in Frome, gathering useful information.

PUPILS GO UNDERCOVER

The future of a Somerset town centre is being shaped through a new secret shopper project. FROME Town Council visited 14 schools and educational settings as part of a school council voice project, speaking with young people about what matters most to them in their schools and in Frome as a whole. One of the strongest themes was the experience of using the town centre, particularly food outlets. In response, the council launched a secret shopper project, working with a group of Year 9 pupils to better understand how young people experience local businesses and community spaces.

SUMMER OF SPORT CELEBRATED IN LYME REGIS

Sixteen sporting organisations came together to start the inaugural Sporting Lyme, organised by LYME REGIS Town Council. It heralds a summer-long celebration of sport and community in the Dorset town, to encourage participation, get people active and find out what’s on offer. The launch event included a demonstration from Lyme Regis Taekwondo Club, taster sessions in the multi-use games area, information stands, competitions, and plenty of opportunities to get involved and try new things. Lyme Regis Mayor Philip Evans, said: “It was a pleasure to see the wealth of sports taking place all in one location.”

Town criers from across the South were put through their paces in Yeovil.

CRIERS’ VOLUME, DICTION AND STORY-TELLING SKILLS PUT TO THE TEST

The bell of Newbury rang out in Somerset as the Berkshire town’s crier Steve Wallis made his competitive debut at the YEOVIL Town Crier competition. Competing against 12 of the finest voices from across the region, Steve brought a touch of his county’s history and modern flair to the historic gathering. The event, which saw 13 criers assemble in full ceremonial finery, began with a parade through the town centre followed by two rounds of competition, testing volume, diction, and storytelling. The best crier award was won by WELLINGTON’S Andrew Norris.

 

Chairman Ian Wardrop with 50-year award winner Henry Bass.

COUNCILLOR’S 50 YEARS MILESTONE

WICKHAM BISHOPS paid warm tribute to long-serving parish councillor Henry Bass, who has completed an extraordinary 50 years of dedicated service to the Essex community. The milestone was celebrated at the annual parish assembly, where Henry was presented with a framed certificate to recognise his half-century of commitment.