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The
Common
Gerrards
Cross Common, which extends over some 32 hectares is
situated immediately north of the A40 and is bounded by part
of Bulstrode Way, West Common and East Common and is
bisected from South to North by Packhorse Road.
It exists as
we know it today as the result of a disastrous fire which
burned for three months in 1921. The first vegetation to
return was heather and gorse, but this eventually was
replaced by four areas of open grassland, incorporating the
two ponds on West Common, and the rest by woodland, mainly
silver birch and oak, some of the latter developing as
solitary and outstanding specimens.
 Although
referred to as “Common” land, thus entitling owners of
properties facing the Common to graze animals thereon, the
area is in fact owned by Mr David Baldwin the Lord of the
Manor. However, South Bucks District Council had previously
vested management interests, and therefore all financial
costs appertaining thereto, in the Parish Council. It is our
responsibility to keep all the grass cut, to monitor the
many paths and keep them in good order, cutting back
brambles and holly on either side, to supply seats, litter
and dog bins at strategic points, to care for all the trees,
to keep the ponds as attractive amenities, and to supply,
maintain and inspect weekly (for safety reasons) a
substantial area of children’s play equipment on East
Common.
Byelaws introduced in 1981 govern what may and may not be
done on the Common. These are exhibited on the Parish
Council's Notice Boards in the Packhorse Road and outside
its offices at the Memorial Centre.
Click here
to view the Gerrards Cross Common Byelaws.
Our major
annual cost is the grass cutting contract, including
strimming in all areas too difficult for the tractor. From
time to time we are faced with a large individual item, such
as protecting West Common from further invasions by
Traveller s and their vehicles and plans are advanced to
provide the same protection for East Common.
Latchmoor
Pond is of special interest as it is home to a very rare
water plant, damasonium alisma (Starfruit) and has received
attention from Plant Life and the Conservation Volunteers.
We recently installed a water top-up facility for use in
drought summers which
was used in 2003.
 The Common is
available at all times and to all people; it is used
regularly by several football teams and occasionally by a
group of American boys who come to play baseball, and twice
yearly by a visiting Fair. Dog walkers frequent it daily and
it provides exercise and recreation for so many pedestrians,
especially for those residents south of the Oxford Road
coming into the centre of the village. We just ask that all
users will respect the Countryside Code and leave nothing
behind but their footprints.
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