We are an active community group committed to respecting the heritage of Castle Green, making more use of the park for the today's community and improving and protecting it for future generations.
Members may be interested in Herefordians.com - Hereford's own version of 'Facespace' and that type of thing...
Welcome to our News page.
Winter Newsletter
Thu, Dec 17 2009 08:24
| Permalink
Our winter newsletter is now available as a pdf download in our Newsletter Downloads section. What a surprise.
Comments
Riverbank project update
Wed, Nov 18 2009 18:16
| Riverbank Project
| Permalink
May I first take this opportunity to thank all those people who came along to the Volunteer Days on the Riverbank. The project team truly appreciates all the help.
It is well over a year now since the idea of this project was mooted. Through funding from Hereford City Council, Herefordshire County Council and English Heritage the Riverbank Project Committee has put the plans into action.
The Monday work team has been in place for several months comprising of Matt, Mark and myself. Both Matt and Mark are working in partnership with Mi Enterprise to receive support in becoming self employed. All three of us are working under contract with the FoCG.
The work carried out on Monday’s and during volunteer days has visually improved the riverbank. Many of the shrubs are being managed through coppicing, the two trees that were clearly struggling have been removed and the rampant Blackthorn is steadily becoming controlled. If you wish to see the overall plan for the Riverbank visit our downloads page.
There are on going discussions under way with the relevant organisations over the plans for the seating areas. The details of which can be viewed on our downloads page. Funding for this work will be applied for once permission has been given.
Public consultation is planned for the Christmas Fair to put forward the options available for the seating areas.
The planting of flowers on the Riverbank is on hold until funding has been put in place to cover all the costs.
Thanks again for all your ongoing support
Matt Hatter Co-ordinator of the Riverbank Project.
It is well over a year now since the idea of this project was mooted. Through funding from Hereford City Council, Herefordshire County Council and English Heritage the Riverbank Project Committee has put the plans into action.
The Monday work team has been in place for several months comprising of Matt, Mark and myself. Both Matt and Mark are working in partnership with Mi Enterprise to receive support in becoming self employed. All three of us are working under contract with the FoCG.
The work carried out on Monday’s and during volunteer days has visually improved the riverbank. Many of the shrubs are being managed through coppicing, the two trees that were clearly struggling have been removed and the rampant Blackthorn is steadily becoming controlled. If you wish to see the overall plan for the Riverbank visit our downloads page.
There are on going discussions under way with the relevant organisations over the plans for the seating areas. The details of which can be viewed on our downloads page. Funding for this work will be applied for once permission has been given.
Public consultation is planned for the Christmas Fair to put forward the options available for the seating areas.
The planting of flowers on the Riverbank is on hold until funding has been put in place to cover all the costs.
Thanks again for all your ongoing support
Matt Hatter Co-ordinator of the Riverbank Project.
Midsummer Fayre
The 27 June, the day of the Castle Green Fayre and what a day it was! The sky was blue, the sun shone and wasn’t it hot!! My duty was to support Antony, our new membership secretary, at the FOCG stand. We stood in front of a fabulous display board prepared by Mark. Large photos presented the work carried out on the river bank by volunteers; explained what is planned for the future and requested visitors to leave their ideas on the board. Well, we had plenty of “I remember …”
A gentleman recalled Sunday evening family walks along the river front and the link to the green alongside the old Art School. Many visitors expressed surprise at the work done. A great mix of people came to the stand. We had great pleasure in talking, explaining, encouraging. We believe it went well.
Everyone seemed to agree with the placing of viewing platforms with metal seats copied from the Victorian originals. Only two visitors disagreed with the removal of any of the yew trees, even though it would open the view to the Cathedral. During discussion with one objector, I suggested clearing the undergrowth and trimming the lower branches of the trees to see what views could be gained. This was acceptable to the gentleman, so the committee will ask for this to be done.
A fisherman was upset. The clearing of the greenery from the river edge has removed the fish shelter. However, the Friends are not responsible for the willows in the water; these were cleared by English Nature. Thinking of next year and our display board, do you have any old photos or postcards of the Green? Family outings, games, army bands, anything we could share and enjoy? If you do, please contact Mark. Is there a first-aider out there? We would be very pleased to have a volunteer first-aider at FOCG events. Free refreshments and a year’s free membership are on offer - any takers??? We nearly lost our voices and suffered from heat exhaustion but we met some great people and had a fabulous time!! Thank you all for coming, please come again. Andree
A gentleman recalled Sunday evening family walks along the river front and the link to the green alongside the old Art School. Many visitors expressed surprise at the work done. A great mix of people came to the stand. We had great pleasure in talking, explaining, encouraging. We believe it went well.
Everyone seemed to agree with the placing of viewing platforms with metal seats copied from the Victorian originals. Only two visitors disagreed with the removal of any of the yew trees, even though it would open the view to the Cathedral. During discussion with one objector, I suggested clearing the undergrowth and trimming the lower branches of the trees to see what views could be gained. This was acceptable to the gentleman, so the committee will ask for this to be done.
A fisherman was upset. The clearing of the greenery from the river edge has removed the fish shelter. However, the Friends are not responsible for the willows in the water; these were cleared by English Nature. Thinking of next year and our display board, do you have any old photos or postcards of the Green? Family outings, games, army bands, anything we could share and enjoy? If you do, please contact Mark. Is there a first-aider out there? We would be very pleased to have a volunteer first-aider at FOCG events. Free refreshments and a year’s free membership are on offer - any takers??? We nearly lost our voices and suffered from heat exhaustion but we met some great people and had a fabulous time!! Thank you all for coming, please come again. Andree
Castle Green - Village Green?
Sun, Sep 20 2009 20:29
| Newsletter
| Permalink
The ownership of Castle Green has been a matter of debate for at least 300 years. Last autumn there was a flurry of excitement when it was reported in the Hereford Times (18th October 2008) that Herefordshire Council had sold the fishing rights on the Wye from the Old Bridge to the Victoria Bridge to the Church Commissioners. This was instigated by the Church Commissioners who were facing a High Court action by Frank Barton on this very issue. Frank had marshalled convincing evidence, supported by expert witnesses, that the assumption by the Church Commissioners of the fishing rights where the Wye passed through the city in the early 19th century was entirely arbitrary and without legal foundation. The Council’s deal, behind closed doors, made the Commissioners de facto possessors of the rights they already claimed albeit below Castle Green they were not riparian landowners.
Elsewhere on the Wye fishing rights accompany landownership. Thus, it could be argued, the citizens of Hereford were deprived of rights, which had been illegally held for more than 150 years by the Commissioners, by their representatives – Herefordshire Council.
The Friends, thus became conscious that, in terms of their tenure and interest in the Green, they were teetering on the edge of a legal minefield. The site of the castle had been privatised by Charles I in 1630 when he granted the site to one of his courtiers. But it was not an absolute freehold and was held by feudal tenure from the manor of Greenwich. During the Civil War it passed through several hands until, in 1647 it was purchased by the Parliamentary Committee of Herefordshire – an illegal body from the perspective of Charles I. The purchase price was £600, paid by Sir Robert Harley of Brampton Bryan, a rebel and leading member of the Committee. The Harley family were never reimbursed and in 1748 Edward Harley, now the earl of Oxford, calculated that, with interest, he was owed £5160 by the county - now represented by the magistrates. Informally, but without legal process, he generously discharged the county of the debt. Periodically, throughout the 18th and 19th centuries the county magistrates tried to secure some sort of freehold over Castle Green, but this was never achieved, notwithstanding expensive searches in the Tower of London for the original Caroline documentation. In 1873 the county magistrates transferred their dubious tenure to Hereford City Council on 200-year lease. With the dissolution of city government in the 1990s it was assumed that the County Council recovered their rights over the Green – hence its agreement with the Church Commissioners. Basically, it would seem, Castle Green remains a crown property albeit the Council is the de facto possessor. This was the point being made by Frank Barton.
The Commons Act of 2006 re-opened the register of common land, which had been created by an earlier act in 1965 but subsequently closed. The public and recreational users of
green spaces are being invited to register their access to unregistered lands, which will be guaranteed and preserved in perpetuity. Issues of ownership are irrelevant in terms of the Act
so, clearly, it has particular relevance for Castle Green. Even if the crown (the government), the County Council, the Church Commissioners or even the Harley family, tried to assert their
outright ownership over the Green, access for recreation by the community would be upheld. Castle Green would become officially a ‘village green’ but without the rights of grazing, which appertain to many rural greens. As a charitable trust the Friends are well placed to act as the tribune of the people in this matter, albeit the Herefordshire Council or the city parish council could make the application but this might open the can of worms relating to legal ownership. The Commons Act 2006 and an application form are available on the Defra website and from the local Commons Registration Office -commonsregistration@herefordshire.gov.uk.
The application form contains a mere 10 sections, so is relatively straightforward. Now is an opportune time to make an application as Herefordshire has been chosen as one of the pilot
areas to measure the demand for new registrations. The rest of the country will have to wait until after October 2010. There are several little ‘greens’ in various parts of the city, which could be considered under the terms of the new act. To complete their application the Friends need a few written statements outlining individual use of the Green over a period of at least 20 ears. Please send them to david.whitehead.hafod@care4free.net or by post to 60 Hafod Road, Hereford HR1 1SQ.
Elsewhere on the Wye fishing rights accompany landownership. Thus, it could be argued, the citizens of Hereford were deprived of rights, which had been illegally held for more than 150 years by the Commissioners, by their representatives – Herefordshire Council.
The Friends, thus became conscious that, in terms of their tenure and interest in the Green, they were teetering on the edge of a legal minefield. The site of the castle had been privatised by Charles I in 1630 when he granted the site to one of his courtiers. But it was not an absolute freehold and was held by feudal tenure from the manor of Greenwich. During the Civil War it passed through several hands until, in 1647 it was purchased by the Parliamentary Committee of Herefordshire – an illegal body from the perspective of Charles I. The purchase price was £600, paid by Sir Robert Harley of Brampton Bryan, a rebel and leading member of the Committee. The Harley family were never reimbursed and in 1748 Edward Harley, now the earl of Oxford, calculated that, with interest, he was owed £5160 by the county - now represented by the magistrates. Informally, but without legal process, he generously discharged the county of the debt. Periodically, throughout the 18th and 19th centuries the county magistrates tried to secure some sort of freehold over Castle Green, but this was never achieved, notwithstanding expensive searches in the Tower of London for the original Caroline documentation. In 1873 the county magistrates transferred their dubious tenure to Hereford City Council on 200-year lease. With the dissolution of city government in the 1990s it was assumed that the County Council recovered their rights over the Green – hence its agreement with the Church Commissioners. Basically, it would seem, Castle Green remains a crown property albeit the Council is the de facto possessor. This was the point being made by Frank Barton.
The Commons Act of 2006 re-opened the register of common land, which had been created by an earlier act in 1965 but subsequently closed. The public and recreational users of
green spaces are being invited to register their access to unregistered lands, which will be guaranteed and preserved in perpetuity. Issues of ownership are irrelevant in terms of the Act
so, clearly, it has particular relevance for Castle Green. Even if the crown (the government), the County Council, the Church Commissioners or even the Harley family, tried to assert their
outright ownership over the Green, access for recreation by the community would be upheld. Castle Green would become officially a ‘village green’ but without the rights of grazing, which appertain to many rural greens. As a charitable trust the Friends are well placed to act as the tribune of the people in this matter, albeit the Herefordshire Council or the city parish council could make the application but this might open the can of worms relating to legal ownership. The Commons Act 2006 and an application form are available on the Defra website and from the local Commons Registration Office -commonsregistration@herefordshire.gov.uk.
The application form contains a mere 10 sections, so is relatively straightforward. Now is an opportune time to make an application as Herefordshire has been chosen as one of the pilot
areas to measure the demand for new registrations. The rest of the country will have to wait until after October 2010. There are several little ‘greens’ in various parts of the city, which could be considered under the terms of the new act. To complete their application the Friends need a few written statements outlining individual use of the Green over a period of at least 20 ears. Please send them to david.whitehead.hafod@care4free.net or by post to 60 Hafod Road, Hereford HR1 1SQ.
Christmas Fayre and Children’s Wassail
An Event not to miss! Sunday 6 December is the day for our Children’s Wassail, to present a colourful and dramatic finale to the Christmas Fayre. However, out Awards for All funding application is still under review. This project will provide a great opportunity for the youngest members of our community to play a leading role in celebrating traditions that are uniquely Herefordian, in the form of song dance and drama associated with mid-winter and apple orchards.
At dusk the visitors will be asked to assemble in Redcliffe Gardens, where, under the supervision of Tony Handy, Master of Ceremonies, the audience will participate in a performance of
the Mummers’ Play, Morris dancing, the singing of the Wassail song and the lighting of the Herefordshire lantern.
The junior schools that have signed up to the project are St Pauls C of E, St Martin’s C of E and the Cathedral Junior School. Unfortunately, our local St James’ School didn’t feel able
to join us this time, which we very much regret. If anyone would like to get involved with the project, please contact: Julie Orton-Davies, Wassail Co-ordinator on 01432 760772.
At dusk the visitors will be asked to assemble in Redcliffe Gardens, where, under the supervision of Tony Handy, Master of Ceremonies, the audience will participate in a performance of
the Mummers’ Play, Morris dancing, the singing of the Wassail song and the lighting of the Herefordshire lantern.
The junior schools that have signed up to the project are St Pauls C of E, St Martin’s C of E and the Cathedral Junior School. Unfortunately, our local St James’ School didn’t feel able
to join us this time, which we very much regret. If anyone would like to get involved with the project, please contact: Julie Orton-Davies, Wassail Co-ordinator on 01432 760772.
Newsletter Autumn 2009
Sun, Sep 20 2009 20:26
| Newsletter
| Permalink
A full colour pdf version of our newsletter, which now forms part of JABA - newspaper of the village in the city, can be downloaded here.
The Perfect AGM
Sun, Sep 20 2009 20:24
| Members News
| Permalink
Possibly the most innovative, and least formal AGM, I’ve had the pleasure of attending took place on the evening of Tuesday 21 July at Castle Cliff, the home of our Friends of Castle Green Chair, Mark Hubbard. About half of the membership attended, which was an excellent turnout, despite the dodgy weather forecast - to enjoy a sumptuous feast of salads and barbequed
meats, prepared by the committee turned chefs for the night.
After a short business meeting, when Mark gave a brief resume of the years activities and plans for the future, tours of the house were enjoyed by many and the wine and conversation fowed for several hours with a good mix of new and older members making for a memorable evening with a distinctly party-like atmosphere along – something to repeat again next year, no doubt.
Mo Burns
meats, prepared by the committee turned chefs for the night.
After a short business meeting, when Mark gave a brief resume of the years activities and plans for the future, tours of the house were enjoyed by many and the wine and conversation fowed for several hours with a good mix of new and older members making for a memorable evening with a distinctly party-like atmosphere along – something to repeat again next year, no doubt.
Mo Burns
From the Chair
Sun, Sep 20 2009 20:20
| Newsletter, From the Chair
| Permalink
As I write at the beginning of August we have some way to go before our summer is over and with it the busiest season of events yet. A massive thank you to Rebecca Saunders whose unstinting dedication to organising events is unsurpassed and she manages to do it so well. The atmosphere at our summer fayre was sublime – a real village feeling in the middle of the city. I’m really looking forward to our 3 Choirs Festival bash and to the ever popular Oddsocks who are doing Richard III in their own inimitable style!
Also a huge thank you to our new membership secretary, Antony Edwards, who has organised the “cleaning” of our membership list and encouraging friends to set up standing orders to pay for their annual membership – a great job!
It appears we have a general agreement with representatives of Herefordshire Council that plans for community use of the beautiful Georgian building in the corner of Castle Green should be found. Don’t hold your breath, these projects tend to take years to get off the ground, but work will commence shortly with the Hereford Heritage Regeneration Group looking at possible options. We shall keep you informed of progress.
The next meeting of the committee will be on 24 September 2009. We should like to make these meetings more accessible to anyone who would like to come along, so please contact Lisa Richardson our Secretary on 01432 352287 if you would like to come along. Further meeting dates will be advertised on our notice board. As ever, if you have any ideas or would like to become more involved please contact us.
Mark Hubbard
Also a huge thank you to our new membership secretary, Antony Edwards, who has organised the “cleaning” of our membership list and encouraging friends to set up standing orders to pay for their annual membership – a great job!
It appears we have a general agreement with representatives of Herefordshire Council that plans for community use of the beautiful Georgian building in the corner of Castle Green should be found. Don’t hold your breath, these projects tend to take years to get off the ground, but work will commence shortly with the Hereford Heritage Regeneration Group looking at possible options. We shall keep you informed of progress.
The next meeting of the committee will be on 24 September 2009. We should like to make these meetings more accessible to anyone who would like to come along, so please contact Lisa Richardson our Secretary on 01432 352287 if you would like to come along. Further meeting dates will be advertised on our notice board. As ever, if you have any ideas or would like to become more involved please contact us.
Mark Hubbard
Riverbank volunteering on Saturday 12th
Wed, Sep 9 2009 06:30
| Riverbank Project
| Permalink
This is a reminder that we are having another Volunteer Day this Saturday 12th September on the Riverbank. The last volunteer day was a great success, thanks to all those that came along. It?ll be more of the same this Saturday with the clearing of Blackthorn the main job. It?ll be great if you can make it for a few hours. We?ll be starting at 10.30 with a barbecue for lunch and finish at 4ish.
All this is weather dependent. If it's wet we'll have to reschedule.
Matt Hatter
Coordinator of the Riverbank Project for The Friends of Castle Green
All this is weather dependent. If it's wet we'll have to reschedule.
Matt Hatter
Coordinator of the Riverbank Project for The Friends of Castle Green
Festival Fun - but we need your help
Mon, Aug 10 2009 06:26
| Events, Volunteering
| Permalink
On Saturday 15th August we are holding a joint event with the Three Choirs Festival "FESTIVAL FUN ON THE CASTLE GREEN". For the day to be a success, we need to be able to erect our small marquee. Normally we have a group of volunteers who do this for every event, but for this one, many of them are on holiday leaving us desperately short of willing hands.
Please can any able bodied Friend who is free at 11am on Saturday 15th come and help? The marquee is very well designed and is easily erected without any training and there will be a couple of experienced volunteers there to give direction as well as getting stuck in themselves. If you cannot make it at 11am please come and help take it down at 7pm that evening - or come and do both and stay for the fun inbetween!
We also need at least 6 people to steward the archery display at 3pm in the afternoon. Again, no experience necessary, this will simply be a crowd control role to ensure nobody gets hurt by flying arrows.
Riverbank Volunteer Days
Sat, Aug 1 2009 08:02
| Riverbank Project
| Permalink
Friends of Castle Green and supporters of The Riverbank Project are invited to two Volunteer Days being held on the riverbank at the Castle Green.
On Saturday 8th August and Saturday 12th September from 10.30am work will be carried out on the riverbank. This will involve clearing certain areas of brambles, nettles and blackthorn and also the painting of the railings along the river edge.
Tools, refreshments and a barbecue lunch will be provided, just come along with sensible shoes and bags of enthusiasm.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Yours sincerely
Matt Hatter
Coordinator of the Riverbank Project for the Friends of Castle Green
On Saturday 8th August and Saturday 12th September from 10.30am work will be carried out on the riverbank. This will involve clearing certain areas of brambles, nettles and blackthorn and also the painting of the railings along the river edge.
Tools, refreshments and a barbecue lunch will be provided, just come along with sensible shoes and bags of enthusiasm.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Yours sincerely
Matt Hatter
Coordinator of the Riverbank Project for the Friends of Castle Green
Please lend a hand
Thu, Jun 25 2009 07:36
| Volunteering
| Permalink
Saturday 27 June - Summer Fayre
Anyone willing to help put up the marquee for the summer fayre please come to the green at 7.30am. Cafe volunteers will be needed from about 9.30am and raffle ticket sellers from 10am. Don’t worry if you’ve never done it before, there’s plenty of experienced people about to show you the ropes – just turn up and offer.
Saturday 15 August - 3 Choirs Picnic
An extra event for which we need the marquee. Would those that normally help put it up please put this date in your diaries for a 9am start. Cafe volunteers will be needed from 11am.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OUR WILLING VOLUNTEERS – ANYONE WANTING TO JOIN US WILL BE VERY WELCOME! CONTACT THE CHAIR FOR MORE DETAILS.
Anyone willing to help put up the marquee for the summer fayre please come to the green at 7.30am. Cafe volunteers will be needed from about 9.30am and raffle ticket sellers from 10am. Don’t worry if you’ve never done it before, there’s plenty of experienced people about to show you the ropes – just turn up and offer.
Saturday 15 August - 3 Choirs Picnic
An extra event for which we need the marquee. Would those that normally help put it up please put this date in your diaries for a 9am start. Cafe volunteers will be needed from 11am.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OUR WILLING VOLUNTEERS – ANYONE WANTING TO JOIN US WILL BE VERY WELCOME! CONTACT THE CHAIR FOR MORE DETAILS.