National Seminar Series on Common Land and Town and Village Greens
7th National Seminar
This took place on Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th September 2007 at the University of Gloucestershire.
For the third year in succession, Defra was the major sponsor of the event. As in previous years, the event also received wide ranging support from other organisations.
Almost 200 delegates enjoyed a varied and informative programme, which commenced with an update on the three main elements of the legislation; registration, management and protection by the Defra Common Land legislation team.
The second part of the first morning focussed on the people aspects of commons with Graham Bathe, of Natural England, speaking on the historical and cultural aspects of commons reminding us that the 2006 Act repeals an Act of 1285, the Statute of Westminster. 'Voices from the Commons' were heard through Harry Hutchings, Cumbria, and Sue King, Gloucestershire spoke about the issues facing them in upland and lowland situations respectively.
In the afternoon around 20 delegates took advantage of a field trip visiting various commons managed under the 'Care of the Cotswolds'; Heritage Lottery Fund project. Other delegates attended a range of workshops covering in more detail matters concerned with the registration of town and village greens, the new regime for protecting commons and the development of commons councils.
On the second day the Commons and Greens Registration and Management Association (CGRMA) held its AGM in the morning. For the remainder of the second day around 50 delegates looked at the Proposals set out in the consultation document for part 1 (Registration) of the Commons Act 2006.
Download Proceedings. Hard copies are available for a small fee, and you should contact Jill Harper, if you wish to order a set.
6th National Seminar
Sponsored by Defra, this was attended by over 200 delegates on 14/15 September 2006. The implementation of the Commons Act 2006 was addressed together with consultation over the development of Regulations. Common land good practice was considered, together with digitising the commons and greens registers, and registering new town Chris Short with members of the Defra Common Land Unit. The AGM of the Commons and Greens Registration and Management Association (CGRMA) was held within the conference.
Download 6th Seminar Programme
Download 6th National Seminar proceedings Day One (large file >100mb). Day Two (large file >100mb).
A Limited number of hard copies of the Proceedings are still available. Please contact Jill Harper if you wish to order a copy.
5th National Seminar
The 5th National Seminar, sponsored by Defra, took place on Tuesday 13 September, 2005.
A strong programme, including a key speech in the Plenary Session from Jim Knight MP, the Minister for Rural Affairs, Landscape and Biodiversity, who outlined the Government's view of the role of commons and village greens in the 21st Century and responded to questions that had arisen during the workshops. The discussion and debate was lively and constructive, particularly in relation to the new Commons Bill, which was introduced to the House of Lords earlier in 2005.
Download 5th National Seminar Proceedings (large file >100mb)
Download 5th National Seminar Programme
A Limited number of hard copies of the Proceedings are still available. Please contact Jill Harper if you wish to order a copy.
4th National Seminar
The 4th National Seminar aired important developments concerning common land and village greens, and of uppermost interest to those attending was the consultation paper published by Defra on 22 August 2003 announcing the Government's proposals on agricultural management of common land.
The event received sponsorship from the Countryside Agency and the Countryside Council for Wales.
Download 4th National Seminar Programme
A Limited number of copies of the Proceedings are still available. Please contact Jill Harper if you wish to order a copy.
