MidBorder News Summer 2023

Brilley Common: a New Era

Unfortunately over the last 20 years Brilley Common has become very overgrown, with its many Public Rights of Way (PRoW) blocked by vegetation, bracken and brambles for the majority of the year. Gone are the views that could be seen towards Radnor Forest as trees grew and grazing ceasing due to stolen gates etc. Brilley Common is one of only two fenced commons and was fenced in the 1950s and put to growing green crops, before it was ploughed up and grazing commenced by the commoners. Prior to Covid a gentleman from Kington would voluntarily come to the common twice a year and then spend three days quietly working his way along the PRoW, allowing them to be enjoyed by many. Unfortunately, he moved away and there has been no-one else to take the work on. As the grazing ceased, the vegetation started to take over and it had become a high fire risk to the dwellings adjacent and nearby. Many people will remember last summer’s dry weather and how farmers were battling with fires in fields and how the fire would sweep along hedges as well at great speed.

The Mid and West Wales Fire Service are looking at reducing their workload by reducing such areas of high fire risk and Brilley Common is one such location. Working with the commoners, the Fire Service commenced cutting fire breaks on the common along the PRoW and along the perimeter. This will now give the common a head start to a new and brighter future as the commoners explore the re-introduction of grazing and other land management and restoration methods.

This work was carried out under the Operation Dawns Glaw scheme, a multi-agency taskforce of specialists who are committed to reduce, and where possible eliminate the impact of grass fires across Wales. The initial focus was on reducing incidents of antisocial behaviour and arson, but recent work has focused on assisting farmers and landowners in ensuring the safe execution of their land management plans. Equally, as a result of increased tourism to rural areas of Wales over recent years, the task force has been raising awareness of the consequences of accidental fires on our countryside. Should you be interested in exploring the scheme further please contact Jeremy Turner, Farm Liaison Officer on j.turner@mawwfire.gov.uk or go to https://www.mawwfire.gov.uk/eng/newsroom/currentcampaigns-and-consultations/dawnsglaw/