Nibley Knoll

In 2011 fourteen acres of land on Nibley Knoll was purchased after an appeal to North Nibley residents and members of the public. This land is now owned by The Knoll Trust. Together with land already owned by the Parish Council and The Monument Trust this means that in all twenty acres of the open land on the top of Nibley Knoll is in some form of public ownership. The three owners are working in partnership to manage the land for the benefit of the public.

Wild Plant Survey 2016

A further wild plant survey was carried out for us by Clare and Mark Kitchen in Spring 2016. The following additional plants were found by Clare and Mark.

Wild Plant Survey 2015

Recently a wild plant survey has been carried out for us by Clare and Mark Kitchen. The following plants were found. Clare and Mark have kindly agreed to do a further survey in Spring or Summer 2016.

North Nibley Quarry SSSI

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) notified under Section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended. [Site Ref: 15 WXD] [National Grid Reference: ST 744956]

This is an important geological locality showing a thick section of Lower and Middle Jurassic rocks, spanning the junction between the Aalenian and Bajocian Stages. The lowest stratum visible is the Cotswold Sand Formation of the Upper Lias, exposed in the sunken lane cuttings. Above is a thick section of the 'Cephalopod bed', the topmost of the Aalenian Stage, here similar to that at Wotton Hill. The Lower Inferior Oolite Freestones, of early Bajocian age, are capped by an excellent example of a 'hardground', a thin layer of tough limestone encrusted with fossil mollusc shells, formed when environmental changes caused deposition of the limestones to slow down or cease altogether. Above the Freestone lies the Upper 'Trigonia' Grit of the Upper Inferior Oolite of which this is one of the best and most fossiliferous sections. The Middle Inferior Oolite is entirely absent here, clearly demonstrating the effects of an important phase of uplift and warping of the earth's crust during the Lower Bajocian. In combination with the presence of the hardground at the top of the underlying Freestones this provides one of the best illustrations in the Cotswolds of the effects of this important phase of earth movement.

Recent Communications

KNOLL REPORT

November 2013

It is now two years since, with YOUR help, we achieved the acquisition of the fourteen acres of land at Nibley Knoll for the public to enjoy.

We have set up the Knoll Trust with five Directors: Robert Maxwell, Roger Holcombe, Tim Hodsman, Ken Brown and Chris Burns-Cox.

As you know the main reason for acquiring the Knoll is to protect it for public enjoyment, and we applied to Natural England to enter the land into a conservation scheme to enable us to have an income to manage the Knoll. Finally we have achieved this.

The Government Grant is a useful contribution towards the cost of the work needed in the short term. In addition, as a result of the response to the original appeal and the reclaim of Gift Aid, where it was available to us, we have enough cash in hand for the forseeable future.

To clarify a few points: the Trust owns fourteen acres of land but there are also another 5.6 acres owned by the Parish Council. Both areas of land are entered into the same scheme. there are also other grants available to help with the management of the Knoll for example for stiles, gates, fencing, clearing scrub etc.

There was a very heavy infestation of ragwort which Natural England was keen to control as it was overtaking the rare species of plants present there. With the help of generous and energetic local people the ragwort has been pulled and taken away to be burnt for 2 years. However this was not enough to make a significant impact and so on the advice of natural England we had it spot sprayed earlier this year.

While collecting the donations the most frequent comment was that the view to the North of the Knoll was blocked by a few trees growing to a higher level. We have been making extensive enquiries into the ownerhip of the small piece of woodland that is blocking the view. These enquiries are ongoing and we will update you when we have made any progress.

We were delighted to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee by planting an oak tree on the Knoll and the children from North Nibley C. of E. School planted a time capsule at the same time.

This report is just to let you know waht has been happening. Having spoken to a few donors, most feel an annual report in this form is sufficient. If, however, you feel you would like a meeting we are quite happy to arrange one, though obviously there is a cost involved in hiring the hall and finding a date to suit all is never easy!!

The acquisition of this land was a wonderful achievement especially given the short time we had available and we hope you continue to enjoy it.

If you have queries or concerns about the Knoll land, do please get in touch with us (Robert Maxwell and Ken Brown).

Natural England is the non-departmental public body of the UK government responsible for ensuring that England's natural environment, including its land, flora and fauna, freshwater and marine environments, geology and soils, are protected and improved. It also has a responsibility to help people enjoy, understand and access the natural environment. It has been severely criticised recently for ignoring scientific data and granting extended badger cull licenses to DEFRA. It was formed by the amalgamation of three bodies (Countryside Agency, English Nature & Rural Development Service).

Formation of the Knoll Trust

OWN THE KNOLL

On The Edge Issue 171 April 2011
An opportunity has arisen for the community to purchase 14 acres of land on Nibley Knoll near the Tyndale Monument. The present owner has always allowed unhindered enjoyment of this land an we would like to ensure that this is the case for future generations. We plan to form a Trust to raise the purchase price of £45,000 plus legal costs to keep the hill in its natural state to be enjoyed by all. CAN YOU HELP? We have one month to raise the required amount so if you would like to be part of this great acquisition with a contribution, large or small, please contact: Robert Maxwell or ken Brown for more details. All enquiries will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.

THE KNOLL APPEAL

The Knoll Appeal, to buy the 14 acres of land on the Knoll which have come up for sale, is going very well. Thank you to all the generous people who have pledged so far. We are well on the way: about £30,000 promised but we still need to raise the final 'leg' to complete. There is a board at the Village Shop showing a map of the land we are hoping to acquire. here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we have received:

• Our main intention is to keep the hill as it is. The present owner has allowed unhindered enjoyment of the land and we have been very fortunate in this. We now have the opportunity to purchase, and asked the agent to give us a month to raise the money to which he agreed.
• We are hoping to obtain conservation grants to fund the management of the land.
• Our main concern is that if a private purchaser buys the land the use of the hill could be for something not compatible with the beauty of the Knoll and the enjoyment of the village residents and wider community. Moreover, a new owner might well be much less generous about access.
• It is hoped wild flower areas could be established. As the land is not fertile as some there will not be such competition from vigorous grasses.

The boundaries need some attention. At the moment, motorbikes are using the hill which is not compatible with other users, walkers, dog owners, cycle riders, horse riders etc. We are very keen to work in close contact with the parish Council and the Monument Trust who have a joint interest in the Knoll. Any kind donations will ensure the whole of the Knoll is held in public ownership to be enjoyed by everyone for ever. People travel from far and wide to walk to the Knoll and the Monument so please inform your friends and visitors. This is not just an appeal to Nibley people! It is a large sum of money to raise in a short period and we appeal to you generosity and your goodwill to preserve the Knoll as it is. We're enormously encouraged by the progress so far, and are confident that the total can be reached. Accordingly, we are in progress of setting up a public, non-profit entity to own and manage the land. As soon as this is done, and the total reached, we will let everyone know, so that money can be collected, and the purchase made. Please contact, to make a pledge or for more enquiries Robert Maxwell, Tim Hodsman, Roger Holcombe, Ken Brown ALL ENQUIRIES WILL BE DEALT WITH IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE.

NIBLEY KNOLL APPEAL.... WE'RE NEARLY THERE

A bank Account has been opened and we are now beginning to turn pledges into definite donations. As yet we are unable to produce a Gift Aid from for those who are tax payers until the Charity Commissioners have dotted the "i's" and crossed the "t's", but this can be done afterwards by those who wish and we will let you know when we have them. We are waiting for the legal side of things to be negotiated, and then hopefully the purchase can be completed. Cheques can now be accepted and made out to NIBLEY KNOLL. Please feel free to contact Robert Maxwell, Roger Holcombe, Ken Brown or Tim Hodsman This is an unbelievable achievement and we are extremely grateful to all who have made pledges so that we are nearly ready to attain our goal.... to ensure the Knoll can be enjoyed by everyone forever.

NIBLEY KNOLL APPEAL.... WE'RE MOVING FORWARD!!

Thank you to all you generous people who have turned pledges in to cash and we are now close to exchanging contracts to purchase the land round the Monument for the enjoyment of all.. Charity registration has been successfully achieved so we will be sending out gift aid forms soon to enable tax to be reclaimed. Thank you again!! Robert Maxwell, Roger Holcombe, Ken Brown, Tim Hodsman

NIBLEY KNOLL.... WE'VE DONE IT!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!

The purchase of the land around the Monument has now been completed. This means that the 20 acres of land on the Knoll is all in public ownership. Grateful thanks to all who contributed to achieve this. Volunteers were recruited for a ragwort pulling session the following week which proved very successful. The Knoll land and the Parish Council land, in all about 20 acres was cleared of ragwort in about 1.5 hours. Many hands made light work!!! A celebration procession was held on 4th September when over 100 people ascended to the top with picnics, dogs and horses! 4WD vehicles were on hand to take those unable to climb up and some who had never made it to the top before. The weather was beautiful, home-made cakes provided, & the afternoon enjoyed by all! Suggestions have been made to make this an annual event..... What do YOU think????

TREE PLANTED FOR QUEEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE...

I've speculated before that in educating the children of today, schools have to look to the past, to understand from where we have come, and to the future, in order that they may fulfil their potential as confident individuals, successful learners and responsible citizens in a modern age. Last week the children had the chance to do both - at the same time! On Friday 2nd March the children of North Nibley School joined members of the Parish Council and the Knoll Trust to plant an oak tree on land adjoining Tyndale's Monument to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. This was one of the first of many events in the area to mark the occasion. Every child in the school climbed the Knoll and watched as the tree was planted. Parents, staff, school governors and other members of the community came to watch. Tilly and Harvey, the oldest and youngest pupils at the school, helped to pack down the soil around the base of the tree.

My thanks to everyone who came with us, and worked 'behind the scenes', in order to create such a memorable start to the period of celebration Paul Batchelor, Head Teacher, North Nibley c of E Primary School ... and a Time Capsule is buried, for children 60 years from now! {bold} Rebecca, the Chair of the School's Pupil Council, buried a Time Capsule containing a variety of items relevant to the lives of the children of 2012. Amongst the many items the children had decided they wanted in the capsule were the following...

• Letters they had written to 'The children of the future'
• A letter from the School Council
• DVD movies of the Class 1 and 2 Nativity, and a recent trip to the Folk Museum, Gloucester
• A school jumper
• A map of the school.
• A local newspaper
• A school newsletter
• Flags to represent our partner schools in our European 'Comenius' project
• Book reviews
• Coins and Stamps currently in use
• A DVD containing photographs taken around the school
• A letter from the Head Teacher and.
• The School Prospectus.

The children then speculated how life might change in the next 60 years. What food might they eat? How might they get about? What music gadgets would be all the rage? Finally they wondered if they will be present when the capsule is unearthed. Time will tell!!

News from your parish Council

What a great evening we had on Monday 4 June on Nibley Knoll! A big Thank You goes to Ken & Roly Brown, Dave Purnell and Iain Devine. As a result of their hard work and efforts a large number of parishioners and visitors were able to get up to the Knoll and enjoy a dry and warm evening watching the Beacon being lit to patriotic singing. I reckon there were well in excess of 300 people (some say 341) on Nibley Knoll to witness the lighting of the Beacon. Well done to all those involved. I know that Ken and the Knoll Trustees are interested in having further events on the Knoll. They want to make it feel like the Knoll belongs to the village. So if you have any ideas for future events please let the Trustees know.

Clearance on Nibley Knoll

You may have noticed some activity near the monument over the winter of 2014/2015. A group of volunteers from North Nibley have been clearing scrub on the end of Nibley Knoll. The land which is owned by the Monument Trust and The Knoll Trust has become very overgrown over the last few years with trees and brambles creeping up the hill. Some older residents may remember when the hill could be seen from the village. The aim of the project is to restore the view of the hill and also the views from the Knoll across the Severn Vale. This aim will not be achieved in a single year. Whilst we have made considerable progress in removing small trees, cutting back medium size trees and cutting down brambles and nettles, there are still large trees to tackle. Once the hill has been cleared it will be necessary to keep new growth under control by regular strimming etc. Recently contractors for the Knoll Trust have also been clearing trees and undergrowth from the monument to the Quarry. Once these areas have been cleared we all hope that rare plants that once grew on these slopes will return and flourish.