Minchinhampton
An evening celebrating the centenary of Minchinhampton Common in Stroud being cared for by the National Trust will bring together commoners, conservationists and archaeologists to celebrate the open countryside.
The event “100 Years of Caring” is at the Subscription Rooms on Friday evening (17 May) and will raise awareness of the common’s unique heritage and to highlight how everyone can help protect it for generations still to come.
It is the start of a summer of celebrations which mark 100 years since the National trust first acquired part of the commons, to prevent further expansion of quarrying which local people feared with ruin the commons.
Today the commons are recognised as important for wildlife and for allowing people to get outdoors and closer to nature.
The evening at the Subscriptions rooms will be hosted by Simon Larkins, the National Trust General Manager for Gloucester Countryside. He will introduce Terry Robinson, Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons Advisory Committee Chairman and Peter Gardiner Grazing Committee Chairman.
Also speaking will be Matthew Oates, the National Trust’s nature conservation expert, David Thackray, former head of archaeology with the Trust and geologist Mark Campbell.
On show during the evening will be a selection of specially commission photographs of the commons today by professional photographer Ruth Davey from Stroud.
The history of Minchinhampton is currently being researched by the Amberley Archive Group and some early results of their work will be on show as well. Their research has uncovered details of the original purchase of the commons by the National Trust which acquired 600 acres of Minchinhampton Common for the princely sum of £1,250 in 1913.
The group will be displaying the full results of its work at its own exhibition at Amberley Parish Rooms from August 24-26.
Also later in the year celebrations will continue with a free Beating the Bounds walk on 26 August in which the community can take part. In October will be an art exhibition celebrating the commons.
Simon Larkins, the National Trust General Manager said: “The commons have so much value today for Stroud and Gloucestershire that we are indebted to the far sighted visionaries who saw the need to protect them 100 years ago. Whether it is for the wild life such as the rare plant species and the butterflies they sustain or simply for having such a valuable open space to escape to for the benefits of a walk in the countryside, we know that Minchinhampton is as important, if not more so, to the people who live close by than it was back in 1913.”
The volunteer Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons Advisory Committee helps the National Trust safeguard the common.
Committee chairman Terry Robinson said over 100,000 people visited the “fabulous and beautiful oases of green ground and fresh blowy air” every year.
“They are keeping up a tradition that has gone on for longer than the century we are celebrating,” he said. “The commons are imprinted on the minds of people who loved and romped on them as children. They are precious to us all for the wonderful experience and refreshment we find there.”
Mr Robinson said the common was also home to some of the rarest and most prized plants and animals to be found in the Cotswold limestone hills.
Further centenary events will be a special display by the National Trust at Minchinhampton Country Fayre on September 14 and an exhibition of original artwork inspired by the common at the Subscription Rooms George Room Gallery on October 4 and 5.
Tickets for “100 Years of Caring” are available now at the Subscription Rooms box office on 01453 760 900 or www.subscriptionrooms.org.uk.
