logo Minutes of an inaugural Open Meeting held on
24 January 2007 in Wesley Church

1. Introduction.

The Chair, Geoffrey King, welcomed those attending and introduced officials and councillors. He explained the reasons why FoMC had been formed emphasising the perceived need for better management of the Common and the events held thereon. The Council had failed to meet its responsibilities and had not complied with the guidance on management contained in its own 2001 Conservation Plan.

2. Dr Ian Richards.

Having walked the Common and assessed its condition and considered possible management options, Dr Richards offered the following judgements:

Condition.

The Common was in poor condition. The Rye Grass had suffered from a heavy ingress of Chickweed and Meadow Grass probably caused by rotting matter killing off the Rye Grass. This appears to have resulted from infrequent cutting. There were a number of bare patches.

Management.

Midsummer Common has a very high water table and could not be drained. The major events held on the Common each year require the grass to be of reasonable length. If too long it is a nuisance for those setting-up and attending events and gets trampled, further damaging the Rye Grass. Maintenance of a grass sward of suitable length and condition for the events held on the Common can be achieved by grazing animals or by mowing four times a year. Ideally, the mown crop should be carted off but this is costly and not strictly necessary providing the recommended mowing regime is maintained. An area the size of Midsummer Common would need around 25 cattle to maintain the grass sward in good condition and remove the need for mowing. If significantly fewer cattle are run on the Common then the full mowing regime should still be adhered to. It may take a few years of good routine management and avoidance of excessive damaging litter before the condition of the Common is restored to a satisfactory state. To aid recovery bare or heavily compacted patches might be rotavated and reseeded. Breaking any sub-surface pan could be difficult and probably unnecessary. He believed there was no practical alternative to metalled paving given the weight of traffic. The possibility of the common becoming a wild flower meadow was raised. Such meadows should be mown only once a year and the crop carted off, so as to run down the nutrient status of the soil: this appears to be quite high in some places. Even if practical, conversion would probably take several years and even then could not be guaranteed. However, the fact that the common is host to numerous events each year, and may have grazing cattle, precludes its development as a flower meadow. The further possibility was aired that a portion of the common might be set-aside in an attempt to create a small flower meadow. (The possibility of English Heritage funding to assist in this has since been raised).

3. Michael Craven - Committee Member.

The many uses to which the Common is put were illustrated and elaborated on. They offer considerable amenity but each gives rise to particular problems and often nuisance to those living nearby or using the Common. FoMC wants to be involved with officials and those organising events to improve management and minimise nuisance. It is also concerned with problems such as those caused by unrestricted and illegal vehicular access to Midsummer House Restaurant and the Fort St George: the gate is constantly left unlocked or even open.

4. Barry Higgs - Hon Secretary.

It was pointed out that the matters referred to above are reflected in the aims and objectives contained in the Constitution of FoMC which is available on the Website. Committee composition was explained as comprising the Chair, Secretary and Treasurer and up to five other members and is to meet at least three times a year. The Committee is elected at the Annual General Meeting. Membership had been set at £5 per year but it may be possible to alter this to a joining fee depending on experience of running costs. The initial members of the Committee had contributed £50 to get FoMC underway.

5. Angelika von Heimendahl.

A local resident and a practising vet explained that she was intending to run a herd of up to 10 Red Poll cattle on the Common in the approved period (1st April to 30th November) removing them as required for events to another Common. She would personally be responsible for the welfare of the animals which would be slaughtered, rather then wintered, with it was hoped the meat sold locally. The following issues were raised and responded to:

  • Health and Safety Risks. Unlike dog faeces, cattle manure presents no health risk.
  • Red Polls are a docile breed and should present no threat but any animal may react to taunting by humans or dogs.
  • The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) imposes strict regulations on cattle movement and documentation with which she is familiar.
  • Cattle Containment. The risk that cattle would get in the river and be difficult to recover was acknowledged but a gravel slope that would help in this had been identified. The possibility of a buried wire with the beasts wearing a transponder that would discourage them from crossing the wire was discussed but dismissed as impractical on this site.
  • Manure Nuisance. Cattle will be inclined to settle on the paths at night, as the surface is warm, and in the morning to foul them. Manure may attract flies. The nuisance would be reduced if the paths could be cleared each morning and the possibility of the Council undertaking this task was raised.
  • Litter and Other Non-Fodder Items. Cattle are inclined to eat litter especially plastic and are likely to interfere with mooring lines and boat covering but these can be coated to discourage this. (A boat owner from Stourbridge Common, where cattle were grazed, remarked that they had encountered no great problems).
  • Families and Amenity Generally. Some parents expressed their appreciation of the opportunity that would be afforded them to acquaint their children with cattle. Other people welcomed the unusual prospect of cattle almost in a city centre.
  • Opposition. Several people expressed their strong objection to the prospect of cattle being run on Midsummer Common believing them to be much more of a nuisance than a benefit.

A vote was not taken but the majority of those at the meeting appeared to be in favour of the cattle. However, it was pointed out that public opinion on this matter was irrelevant as, within the prescribed dates and herd size, residents of Cambridge had a long established legal right to run cattle on Midsummer Common.

6. Strawberry Fair - Martin Twiss.

It was explained that the Fair was stable in size, if anything being smaller in 2006 than previously: the 2007 event should be similar in size. It was organised by volunteers and was a 'Constitutionally Bound Organisation'. The £80,000 - £100,000 or more raised from concessions was devoted to items such as the following: a children's corner, security, toilet hire, music staging, (there was a commitment to engage local musicians at these events) and many unspecified costs... Concern was expressed over the following:

  • Local Event. Notwithstanding the statement regarding local musicians (see above) many people felt Strawberry Fair had lost its local flavour.
  • Litter. Although collected after the event (not always satisfactorily), during the day it simply built up with bins overflowing and litter being trampled under foot. More litter points were requested (to be emptied during the event) and more returnable, rather than throw-away plastic, containers used.
  • Toilets. It was complained that there was inadequate toilet provision on the Brunswick Walk/North Terrace side of the Fair resulting in some very unpleasant mess in gardens and paths. This, it seems, is because the toilets are placed in accordance with a scheme based on density of traffic within the Fair and what happens outside the boundary is not the concern of the organisers but of the Police. (PCSO David Jackson stated that the Police would act if they observed anyone breaking the law by urinating in a public place or causing any nuisance).

It was felt that many of the issues of concern might be addressed in a binding contract between the Council and Strawberry Fair organisers. Martin Twiss stated that further contact with FoMC and Council officials was welcome to address matters of concern.

7. Alistair Wilson - Green Space Manager CCC.

The many benefits of a Group such as FoMC were highlighted and included:

  • Community involvement that informs priorities and the resultant change.
  • Encouraging the greater public access that can result from such change.
  • Greater customer involvement that helps protect against vandalism and misuse.
  • Reduces resentment and criticism that arises if customer feedback is not responded to.
  • The need for the community to be at the heart of service delivery.

The principles that guided Council and Group involvement were:

  • The need for organisational cultural change.
  • The need for a continuous and appropriate process of change.
  • The above must be linked to democratic structures.
  • Openness, honesty and transparency were fundamental.

The role of a group such as FoMC was identified as:

  • To identify what was needed.
  • To suggest the best way of meeting such needs.
  • To consider how best to ensure local involvement.

The Council saw its role in this Inaugural Meeting of FoMC as being to identify:

  • Issues and conflicts.
  • Possible solutions.
  • How FoMC can work with the City Council.

The Management of Midsummer Common covers the following:

  • Events.
  • Grazing.
  • General Maintenance.
  • Trees.
  • Moorings.
  • Services and utilities.

The current organisation chart shown is at Appendix 1.

8. Nigel Cutting - Head of Arts & Recreation CCC - Responsible for Midsummer Fair.

It was explained that various options for managing Midsummer Fair differently were being considered but no specific proposals could be offered at this stage and no significant changes were envisaged for 2007. The hope was that it could be made more attractive and more of a family event. Midsummer Fair was unique in that it combines a Fun Fair with a Travellers' Fair (Potfair). Suggestions for beneficial change would be welcome.

The following concerns were mentioned. The fair seems to attract vandalism and alcoholism (although this was less of a problem in 2006 than hitherto). Boats had to move for the duration of the fair as some had suffered vandalism. (This was blamed on bored youngsters from the Fair. Again, in 2006 this was better than previously). The fair presents an unsavoury atmosphere for teenage children and parents are loath to allow them to attend in the evening. The Traveller (Potfair) element appeared to be the source of the greatest trouble.

The Way Ahead. Mr Cutting expressed his hope that the former style and atmosphere of the funfair might be recreated. He understood the desire for an increased police presence and encouraged the public to report crimes. He is required to balance income and outgoings (circa £35,000). A contract between the Council and the fairground was in existence that covered matters such as times/noise/toilets etc. This could be modified to reflect changing needs. The possibility of separating the Funfair and Pot Fair was aired but this gave rise to the fear that the Pot Fair alone would be an even less savoury event. (FoMC Chair expressed serious concern at the prospect of a Pot Fair on Midsummer Common). Mr Cutting mentioned that Cambridge featured in Travellers' diaries. He believed they would come here almost regardless.

9 Conclusions

The meeting had identified the following issues of concern and interest on which FoMC would want to work with the Council:

  • The condition and management of Midsummer Common (including the trees).
  • The re-introduction of cattle to the common.
  • Strawberry Fair.
  • Midsummer Fair.

The above were in addition to what it was hoped would be routine discussion of matters such as an annual calendar of future events.

B Higgs Hon Secretary
G King Hon Chair
29th January 2007

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