pumpkinstrokemarrow

I doubt whether I shall go as I find it hard to sit still with a civil tongue through this sort of thing. But all those that can and who care about the life of trees in Epsom are encouraged to attend.

My complaint with these people is that they are always chopping things down, playing at farm and generally fiddling. They don't seem to be able to leave well alone. So, for record, I set down some thought on how I would like to see Epsom Common managed. See also posting of 10 February.

Article 1. Epsom Common is a wood and is to be managed as one, with as light a touch as is consistent with providing access to the public. It will be unusual for such management to involve killing trees. It will not be managed on a commercial basis: the idea is to have a natural, vegetarian and organic wood, not to make money out of selling dead trees.

Article 2. Epsom Common is neither nature preserve, site of especial scientific interest, park, heath, farm nor rough grazing. There is plenty of that sort of thing elsewhere.

Article 3. Epsom Common is not to be used for grazing farm animals, including here horses, cows, pigs or sheep.

Article 4. Epsom Common is not to be used by hobby country craftsmen, including here those who like to make charcoal, hedges or hurdles.

Article 5. The management committee may, at its discretion, arrange for the culling of deer. They breed too fast and do too much damage to be tolerated in the restricted confines of Epsom Common.

Article 6. The management committee shall set a good example by maximising the amount of carbon locked down on Epsom Common and minimising the amount of carbon blown into the air in the course of its management. Until and unless we come to know better, this shall be interpreted as allowing trees to take it over and avoiding the use of internal combustion engines, large, live or small.