Bromyard Downs Common Association

Community

Community is central to the life of the common. Commoners have shaped the landscape over centuries through traditional management such as pollarding, collecting bracken for bedding and hay making.

The Downs has a rich history including the story of two WW2 operational bunkers hidden in the woods. More recently young people have made films based on local oral histories. Click here to find out more.

Wildlife

Ecologically, Bromyard Downs is one of Herefordshire's jewels. Its size alone is important but it is the mosaic and diversity of habitats that makes it special.

From glow worms, to grass snakes, bullfinch to barn owls, there is an abundance of wildlife making use of the woods, wetland, wildflower meadows and quite unusually - relict heathland patches with devil's bit scabious, harebell and adder's tongue fern. Click here to see survey and monitoring data collected by local volunteers.

Commoners

Common Land, a concept since medieval times, is land to which local commoners have rights. There are 88 registered commoners on Bromyard Downs, many with rights to graze livestock. Grazing is the traditional and sustainable way of maintaining the open feel of the common, whilst managing the diverse wildlife habitats.

The BDCA will be assisting with a sheep grazing trial using electronic collars to control the areas which the sheep can graze in. Please check back for more information.

Get Involved

Hands on opportunities including:
- Practical habitat management - scrub clearance, bracken, pond, heathland and woodland management.
- Surveys and monitoring - dormice, butterflies, birds, vegetation , glow worms and more.
- Administration and publicity - can you help with social media, website, flyering and publicity for events etc?

The BDCA are a local voluntary organisation, any help is greatly appreciated! Click here to find out more.