Duncan Down

Coordinates: 51°19′48″N 1°00′57″E / 51.3300°N 1.0157°E / 51.3300; 1.0157

Duncan Down
Duncan Down  Duncan Down shown within Kent
OS grid reference	TR107667
District	City of Canterbury
Shire county	Kent
Region	South East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Whitstable
Police	Kent
Fire	Kent
Ambulance	South East Coast
EU Parliament	South East England
UK Parliament	Canterbury
List of places: UK • England • Kent

Duncan Down is an open, public, area to the south west of Whitstable and is the largest village green in the United Kingdom. It is a 19 hectare (47 acre) area of grass and woodland incorporating two ponds and a brook. The area is maintained by the Friends of Duncan Down with assistance from Canterbury City Council and has received a grant from the Lottery Breathing Places programme. Originally intended for housing development in the inter-war years it is now protected by its 'village green' status. ^[1]

History

At the beginning of the twentieth century a plan was produced that would have involved the development of a large part of the downs for housing. Two very small sections of this plan were built but the remained was never acted upon. Until world war II the downs were grassland but during the war the government directed that they should undergo cultivation and flax and other crops were planted. After the war the area remained under cultivation, mainly for hay until problems of vandalism made continued use unprofitable. Throughout the 1980's Canterbury City Council provided minimal management of the area manly consisting of grass cutting and rubbish removal.^[2]

Since the 1960's four village greens have been registered. These, together, now comprise the area known by the name: Duncan Down. The first, VG124, an area of scrub and woodland to the northeast of the site was registered in 1969. The second area, originally cultivated farmland, which forms the major part of the site was registered in 1992. The third and fourth areas, VG240 and VG256, both woodland, were registered in 2007 and 2011 respectively. ^[3]

Ownership

The local council, Canterbury City Council is the main landowner. There are several plots of land under private ownership but the majority of the land has no registered owner.

Grassland

Approximately one quarter of the area of the downs is set aside as grassland which provides food for insects, birds, and the significant rabbit population. Although this grassland would ideally be controlled by animal grazing, the lack of ruminants on the site means that an annual hay harvest is undertaken.

Grass types present include perennial rye, sheep's fescue, sweet vernal, and timothy.

Flowering plants within the grassland areas include: birdsfoot trefoil, buttercup, clover, flax, ox-eye daisy, and vetch. The clover is of particular importance as bacteria within the root system fix nitrogen in the soil which is then used by other plants. Poppies appear occasionally but are rare as the soil is not disturbed.

Slow Worms and lizards are found within the grassland existing on insects and slugs.

Scrubland

Scrubland forms around one fifth of the downs and is an important feature of the assisted evolution of the site. It is the natural result of leaving an area uncultivated and consists of a broad mixture of native tree species, mainly oak and sycamore. Naturally occurring shrubs include blackthorn, dog rose, hawthorn (also known as sloe, and blackberry (bramble). As the scrubland matures areas of it are cut back leaving semi-mature trees standing. In some areas, clearings are made and various native species are planted. Bird ringing is undertaken at this location to assist in research into the behaviour, particularly migratory patterns, of the resident birds.

Woodland

Approximately half of the down is comprised of woodland. There are three named woods: Trench Wood, Gorrell Wood, and Benacre Wood. Trench and Gorrel woods have formed over the last 50-60 years from scrub land but Benacre Wood is a remnant of an ancient forest that once covered around 1214 hectare (3000 acres) of the locality. Trench Wood is so named because of the defensive trench workings that remain from World War II, Gorrell Wood is named for the stream which runs through it and Benacre Wood is the last surviving part of an ancient blean remaining near the town of Whitstable.

The oak is the predominant species of tree forming the woodland but yew and holly, both of which can survive below the canopy of oak leaves are in evidence. Various other trees including field maple and willow can be found at the margins of the woods.

As evidence of its age, Benacre wood is host to large quantities of bluebells in the spring. Other flowering plants present include primrose, snowdrop, and celandine. Non flowering plants include ivy. Various fungi are present including bracket fungi which are largely responsible for the natural recycling of dead wood.

In 2011 an area of hawthorn was removed from Trench Wood and a collection of native tree species was planted.

Stream and Ponds

The Gorrell Stream runs through the downs providing a valuable source of water. During the summer there is only a very slow flow of water which may dry up completely during dry periods. During the winter the flow can become torrential which keeps the channel clear.

Two ponds have been created to provide a more reliable source of water for the local wildlife. Frogs, newts, and toads have all been identified in the ponds and the margins provide reed and rush cover for the young froglets which are otherwise taken by various predators including birds and grass snakes.

The banks of the stream are home to a number of old willows which provide a home for woodpeckers. Bats are also present in the older trees.

Green flag award

The downs have been awarded a green flag indicating a well maintained and cared for public green area.^[4]

Wildlife

Various types of wildlife can be found the different types of habitat of the downs.

Ponds

The ponds support frogs, newts and toads. Insects present include dragonfly, mayfly, and waterboatmen (notonectidae).

Grassland

Slow worms, Grass Snakes, lizards, and some small rodents occupy the grassland.

Scrub and woodland

Various rodents including squirrels and mice, together with small mammals such as foxes, and rabbits are to be found in this habitat. Resident birds include blackbird, blue tit, chaffinch, great tit, wood pigeon, owls, and woodpecker. Bats are also known to be present on the site.

Maintenance

The primary maintenance of the down is undertaken by Canterbury City Council through their contractor: Serco. In addition the 'Friends of Duncan Down' organise a wide variety of activities for the improvement of the area including monitoring of the site, planting of spring bulbs, minor maintenance and construction of seating benches.

Major maintenance activities include: regular grass cutting of the pathways, annual cutting of the grassland and removal of hay and clearance of areas of scrub that encroach on paths and grassland.

The friends of Duncan Down undertake responsibility for the provision and maintenance of various bridges across Gorrell Stream together with paths that provide access to the newer areas of the village green.

Provision for activities

A small area at one corner of the downs has been set aside as a playing field and football goals have been installed there.

Possible Expansion

In September 2011 a proposal was put forward by a property company that they would donate a significant amount of land for the expansion of the downs if they were allowed to build a new housing development nearby. A public consultation has been held and the matter is being considered by the responsible council. ^[5] The additional land would nearly double the size of the downs and would include meadowland, a lake, tennis courts, a village hall and a green burial area.

References

1. ^ "Duncan Downs". Canterbury City Council. http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/main.cfm?objectid=1430#DuncanDownVillageGreen. 
2. ^ http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/assets/countryside/ddvillagegreenmanagementplan2011online.pdf
3. ^ http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/assets/countryside/ddvillagegreenmanagementplan2011online.pdf
4. ^ Duncan Down, Green Flag Awards, Keep Britain Tidy, retrieved 2011-09-28
5. ^ http://www.askwhitstable.com/community-and-planning/the-community-park