Braving the Common cold (From Stroud News and Journal)

Braving the Common cold

THERE is not only more to Stroud's commons than first meets the eye but also many more of them. Reporter Sam Bond joined the Cotswold Wardens this week as they braved the fog and January temperatures on a walk around the less-trodden paths of Rodborough and Minchinhampton to discover the hidden treasures of eight of the 10 commons

A THICK fog had carpeted the commons so you could barely see beyond the end of your nose.

The sounds of the nearby road were muffled, deadened by the impenetrable mist.

The cold bit into cheeks, kept hands firmly thrust into pockets and nobody would have been surprised if the Hound of the Baskervilles had burst baying from the blanket of white at any minute.

Perhaps then not the best day to explore the paths which criss-cross the parishes of Rodborough and Minchinhampton.

Nevertheless, the Cotswold Wardens seem to be a hardy bunch and when they say they are going to lead a guided walk that is exactly what they mean - they were not going to be put off by a bit of bad weather.

Around a dozen well-equipped walkers turned up for the seven-mile hike, How Many Commons?, which promised to shed some light on the history of the open spaces we all take for granted.

To his credit walk leader Mike Brinkworth turned what could have been a gruelling endurance test through the mist and mire into an entertaining and interesting adventure.

The walk began on the plateau of Minchinhampton Common - which was apparently covered with trees as recently as the eleventh century - and within minutes Mike had launched into healthy stride and an informative patter.

Minchinhampton is the oldest of the commons, there having been commoners rights at Minchinhampton Common since before the Norman invasion, the warden said.

He explained how the distinctive ridge and ditch which runs from Box to Minchinhampton, known as the Bulwarks, has perplexed archaeologists for years. "They used to think it was an attempt to defend Minchinhampton in some way," he said.

"But the ditch is on the inside which is the wrong side if that were the case. "People have now decided the Bulwarks were to keep animals in rather than keep people out."

Next stop - The Great Park, the stretch of common that runs between Minchinhampton town and the Cirencester road.

"It's now managed by the National Trust," said Mike. "But it was only bought from the lord of the manor in 1913.

"At that time the golf club was digging up the common and bought this in compensation for the land they were using up."

Just past Blueboys Corner on the main road is an easily overlooked stone-walled compound but in days gone by it had a vital role to play in the life of the commons.

"It's the old pound," said Mike. "Cattle and horses are allowed out on the common but they have to be marked so people know whose are whose.

"This is where, in days gone by, the hayward would put diseased and unmarked animals."

For more on this story and more, see this week's Stroud News & Journal