More News can be found on the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Blog here
New Chairman of the Conservators
David Devons, an elected Conservator since 1994, stood down as Chairman in April this year after eight years. During this time, David has guided the Conservators through so many challenges that the role of Chair must have often seemed like a full-time job. Andrew Simon, Vice-Chairman for the last 3 years, has been appointed in his place.
Andrew said on taking over the chair: “Everyone who loves and uses the Commons owes David an enormous debt of gratitude for his commitment and stewardship o v e r e i g h t very busy and testing years. Fortunately, he continues as an elected Conservator so that his deep experience remains available to his colleagues.”
Andrew, a retired solicitor, has lived in Wimbledon and Putney for
over 30 years, and has known the Commons as a walker, runner, and
birdwatcher. He has also been a steward at the Windmill Museum
for several years. His over-riding aim is to keep the Commons free
of party political control, to preserve the flora and wildlife, and
at the same time to maintain the balance with the wide range of
recreational activities for our own generation and especially for
future generations.
A Special Thanks To Commons Users
As part of an increased effort to ensure the safety of the Commons wildlife, members of staff have recently constructed and secured two floating platforms on the Queensmere.
To our delight, both Mute Swans and Coots have taken the opportunity to build nests on these platforms and after a short period of incubation, young from both of these species were observed.
Located well away from the banks of the Queensmere, it was initially quite difficult to estimate the number of young in each nest but on Monday 18 th May 2009 , eight cygnets were seen swimming in the pond.
Recent visitors to the Queensmere may have noticed that the adult swans and especially the male have been extremely vigilant in the protection of their brood.
In fact, it has become a regular feature for our mounted keepers to be pursued around the edge of the pond by the adult male swan as they ride past on their routine patrols.
While we continue to monitor the security of the Commons wildlife, a special thank you must also be conveyed to everybody who has assisted us in our work by kindly observing our new dog related bye-laws.