THE RIVERBANK COMMON

Brompton on Swale is very fortunate to have a beautiful stretch of riverbank registered as common land, owned and managed by the Parish Council for the benefit of villagers, visitors and wildlife.

A Management Strategy for this area was prepared in 2001 and adopted by the Parish Council.  As part of the preparatory work for the Strategy a wildlife survey was carried out. Some examples of the species recorded give a flavour of what may be seen on the Riverbank Common according to the season:-

Trees and Shrubs
Alder 
Hazel
Norway Maple
Wych Elm

T
Ash
Hawthorn
Rowan

T
Crack Willow 
Oak
Sycamore

Wildflowers
Bluebell
Greater Stitchwort   
Meadow Cranesbill   
Wood Anemone   

T
Celandine
Herb Robert   
Ramsons
Wood Avens   

T
Dog's Mercury
Meadowsweet
Red Campion
Yarrow

Birds
Crested Grebe
Kingfisher
Swift
Wren

T
Dipper
Nuthatch
Tawny Owl

T
Goosander
Swallow
Tree Creeper

Riverbank Management

The Parish Council has carried out work over a number of years in accordance with the Management Strategy referred to above. The main activities have been:

*  Installing a wheelchair access and bankside viewing point from the bottom of River Lane

*  Periodically spreading wood chippings on the main paths to improve surface conditions

*  Planting native tree and shrub species (mainly alder beside the river and hazel, dog rose, field maple, hawthorn and crab apple elsewhere

*  Coppicing riverbank trees to prevent them becoming unstable and toppling over, damaging the riverbanks in the process

The most recent task has been to install a new seat at the north end of the riverbank path giving a beautiful view westwards up the river -a special place at sunset.  This seat was donated by the Richmond Meet in memory of Mrs Elaine Hendren.

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