Annual Reviews

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Management of Magog Down

From recent correspondence coming into our mailbox, it appears that a number of visitors, some of them Friends or Members, have concerns about the management of Magog Down. This gives us an opportunity to explain how it is organised.

The land is privately owned by the Magog Trust. It is managed by a small unpaid group, using volunteers and contractors to carry out maintenance on the land. One income stream is subscriptions of Members and Friends; another is our farm income under the Common Agricultural Policy which has a number of schedules attached stipulating as to how and when certain tasks can be carried out. Our resources are limited and tasks are carried out within these schedules when our contractors and volunteers are available. This year has been exceptional in giving weather conditions resulting in much growth early and late in the season, reflected not only on our site but also on others and even road verges.  In some cases, contractors' machinery is struggling to cope with the volume of growth.  

• Rangers' service - Our ranger patrols operate spasmodically every day of the week on Magog Down and the Trust contracts this service from CPPF at an annual charge of around £14,000. 
• Grass cutting - Within the agri-environment scheme under which we farm the Magog Down, restrictions are made on the period during which we are allowed to cut the grass; these are set primarily to allow flowering plants to set seed. The period for cutting is between 15th July and 31st August; exceptionally extensions can be requested. We are always dependent on the availability of contractors. 
• Path cutting - We have a regular schedule of path cutting to which we aim to keep, though governed by the availability of contractors. As I write, the growth of Mugwort, Artemesia vulgaris has been particularly vigorous.  Costs of path cutting are around £1300 annually – equivalent to the subscriptions of nearly 100 Friends.
• Hay from the North Down has to be dumped as it continues to be contaminated by dog faeces, despite our many notices reminding dog owners that this is an offence. This eliminates use of the hay as animal fodder. However, it creates a vibrant habitat for fungi.
• Chipping programme for paths for the winter months will recommence in October. This task, like all others on Magog Down, has a cost attached - £450, despite much of this hard manual labour being carried out by volunteers and using free wood chips.

20th September 2013