Wanna live like Common People?
25 November 2023You may not usually identify as a commoner but as a Wolvercote resident you can proudly claim to be one! Did you know that the people of Wolvercote have enjoyed the right to pasture cows, horses or geese on Wolvercote Common for hundreds of years?
Those rights were first confirmed in 1279 and extended in 1562, while grazing on the common was recorded in the Domesday Book. Although only a few houses in the parish have registered grazing rights, all Wolvercote residents may apply for customary rights from the Wolvercote Commoners Committee.
Not confident in your cowgirl skills or concerned that you don’t have the time to commit to geese husbandry? You can still exercise these wonderful Wolvercote rights by caring for our common land. Wolvercote Commoners meet regularly to attend to the Commons (Wolvercote Green, Wolvercote Common and Goose Green). This involves efforts to protect the habitats of local wildlife and plants, such as clearing the ditch on Wolvercote Green to encourage water voles to take up residency. You needn’t be green fingered, fit or knowledgeable about invasive plant species (although this would be appreciated!).
All are welcome to join in and enjoy protecting our pastoral idyll. This includes families with children, who we are keen to encourage to take ownership of the land. In fact, we may even be able to offer a wholesome, at-one-with-nature ‘stay and play’ in return for some therapeutic nettle lopping… And we can muster up a thermos of tea or two (BYOB – bring your own… biscuit).
If you would like to know more about the work of the Wolvercote Commoners Committee check out our website:
