What’s New

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We will post on this page any reports we receive on what has been seen recently, or what to look out for, on the Hill and Common.  Let us know what you have seen by sending an email to webmaster.leckhamptonhill@gmail.com.

Reported by Geoff on 8th November 2023

The new cattle enjoying the view and the autumn colours.

Reported by John on 25th October 2023

Lovely pics of a young lady from the National Star Centre using the new accessible path network on the hill. Makes it all worthwhile.

Reported by Wayne on 3rd July 2023

Hopkins lower field flowers – just lovely!

Reported by Geoff on 11th May 2023

Yes, the Cowslips have been really good this year but have you seen the Early Purple Orchids that are now out?

Reported by Oliver on 9th May 2023

I just wanted to say what a joy it was to head up the Hill and along CK Common on Sunday (not least because it was sunny and warm for once!) and to see so many cowslips all over. It really is a great step forward, I guess largely due to the new conservation grazing regime. Excellent.

Reported by Maria on 30th April 2023

Heard the cuckoo, loud and clear, in fields behind back garden of Ravensgate Rd this afternoon. It seemed closer than it has been for a few years. Spring has sprung!

Reported by Wayne on 3rd April 2023

The phantom trig point painter has visited us again!

Reported by Mike in November 2022

Cheltenham Borough Council, FOLK and the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens have
been recognised in the 2022 CPRE Gloucestershire Awards. Each year the many
branches of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) present awards to
projects which have made their local countryside considerably better. The
purpose of the scheme is to “recognise and celebrate projects across
Gloucestershire which demonstrate sustainability and have resulted in significant
improvements to the environment and facilities for communities.”

The CPRE Awards judges met last month, and were delighted to let us know that
“they were unanimous in their view that the great improvements that have been
achieved on Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings Common should be recognised
through a CPRE Gloucestershire Award”.

Reported by Geoff on 17th October 2022

We were joined at our last work party by a cabinet member of Cheltenham Borough Council and a videographer.  If you would like to view the resulting YouTube video then click on this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7IDkZkKVPY.

Reported by Geoff on 27th August 2022

A few weeks ago Cheltenham Borough Council got a contractor in to resurface the Standard Gauge Inline footpath that runs up to the limekiln ruins from Daisy Bank Road. This had become very badly rutted and scoured by rainwater running down it over the years.  As well as resurfacing they have fitted two concrete drainage channels which will hopefully drain surface water off before it can do too much damage.  Today was the first time I have walked up this route since the work was done and hence had an opportunity to take a photo.

Reported by Mike on 18th August 2022

We were visited again today by our friends from Kohler Mira who did some litter picking.  All went well with five volunteers attending. I saw them on the Hill later and they said they had not found as much litter as last year.

Reported by Pete on 6th August 2022

There was a fire on the Hill yesterday, started by a disposable BBQ.  Fortunately the Fire Brigade managed to contain it but it still managed to do significant damage – see photos below.  Please refrain from using any potential source of fire on the Hill, particularly during the present dry period.

Reported by Guy on 22nd July 2022

It’s good to see so many more flowers on the hill in the absence of summer grazing. Yesterday I was looking at flowerheads of the small white umbellifer Burnet-saxifrage, which is abundant in some parts of the open grassland. I was looking out for two species of moth which often take nectar on this plant, one is a national scarcity which I have found once before on Charlton Kings Common and on several Cotswold sites, the other is a national rarity which I have only seen on Rough Bank reserve (repeatedly) and on Snows Farm NR (once).

Yesterday I found a female of the rarity, Epermenia profugella pRDB2. The East Glos. moth recorder is happy with my record from a photo, so today I released the moth back on site and spent some time looking for more. None of those found, but I did find one of the scarcity, Nemophora minimella, which I had previously found on Charlton Kings Common in 2012.

Photos below are of E. profugella, which is a very small plain brown moth. Yesterday’s specimen on a plastic pot, and two examples of that species taking nectar on Burnet-saxifrage at Rough Bank to show its size.

Reported by Geoff on 20th June 2022

FOLK had a stand at the Charlton Kings Summer Fayre on Saturday.  It was a bit of a damp and cool day and therefore not as many people attended as usual, but we had quite a few visitors, positive comments on our displays, and a few people signing up as members.  Not a bad day after all!

Reported by Serena on 5th June 2022

We were walking around Charlton Kings Common this afternoon and found 27 Fly Orchids in the area cleared of some of the gorse on one of the winter work parties. So it was a worthwhile task.

Reported by Geoff on 30th May 2022

During May tree surgeons were brought in to cut down dead and dying ash trees on the main incline footpath up to the limekilns from Daisy Bank Road.  This was done for safety reasons as Cheltenham Borough Council were concerned about the potential hazard of falling trees on this well-used path.  Some before and after photos are shown below.

Reported by Geoff on 1st March 2022

Good news!  The resurfacing of the Cotswold Way across Charlton Kings Common is now complete.  Some of it was done in October and it was hoped that the remaining stretch would not get too muddy, but that wasn’t to be.  The increased footfall on the Hill meant that the path did indeed get muddy, particularly at the Western end below the new ramp, resulting in people diverting onto the open grassland which in turn has damaged that.

Now that the whole length has been resurfaced, and fencing put up at the Western end by the gate to block the alternative route, people will hopefully follow the official footpath route rather than diverting onto and damaging the grassland.  It will also mean that those with lesser mobility will also be able to enjoy this route and the lovely views.

Reported by Wayne on 23rd December 2021

Works have been planned to refurbish the Tramway footpath in the new year
from bridge carpark to the limekiln remains as per the map. The surface has eroded to such a point that it is difficult in wet conditions to walk up the track safely. Cheltenham Borough Council has identified funding to be able give the track a well deserved refurbishment. This will also include runoff channels to redirect the flow of water to either side of the track and therefore avoid creating a similar trench down the centre of the path in the future. We also intend to raise the surface in bridge car park to try and avoid silt build up. The works will start and finish between mid-January and mid-February. At times due to works traffic the path will be diverted as per the map and posts will be in situ to direct you along the diverted route.

Reported by Wayne on 15th November 2021

Thought you would like to see some pics of the cattle taking to the hill over the weekend… getting in amongst the gorse which was what we were hoping they would do and also taking it easy!

Reported by Wayne on 5th November 2021

A great job completed by the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens. (New steps on the slope down from the top of Leckhampton Hill down to the Woodland Walk.)

Reported by Geoff on 2nd November 2021

The new cattle have arrived on the Hill.  They are a mixture of British Whites and English Longhorns.  Although they are bigger than the Dexters, which previously grazed the Hill, they are just as placid animals – but it’s still advisable to keep your dogs under control near them.

You may spot that the adult cows are wearing collars.  These are part of clever modern technology that is being used to control where they can wander.  A virtual paddock is set up using an App and the GPS linked collars recognise this and warn the cattle when they are getting close to the virtual fence lines.  These virtual paddocks can be changed as required to get the cattle to graze particular areas to gain conservation benefits, or to keep them away from particular parts such as the main footpaths.

Use this link to read more about our conservation grazing.

Reported by Geoff on 8th October 2021

Following on from my last message, a lot more work has been done to improve the surface of the Cotswold Way along the top of Charlton Kings Common.  This may look a bit stark and intrusive at present but it will be a godsend through the winter.  This route has always been very muddy and slippery in winter, particularly the last one, but hopefully no more.  It should also mean that walkers will not wander off to the sides of the path to avoid the mud which will reduce the damage caused to the grassland which is of special scientific interest.

These new surfaces will mellow over time and look better than at present.  This is shown in the last photo below which is of a section that was resurfaced a few years ago.

Reported by Geoff on 21st September 2021

Two things to report.  Firstly, work has started to improve the state of various sections of the Cotswold Way to overcome the very muddy problems we experienced last year.

Secondly, the phantom trig-point painters have been out again, but they have only done one side so far.

Reported by Tim on 20th July 2021

I was lucky to get a picture of this Silver Washed Fritillary on the Hill today.

Reported by Geoff on 1st July 2021

We had a group of sixth form students and teachers from Cheltenham College come and join us for a work party on the Hill today.  They helped us to clear and burn some gorse and also did some litter picking and were a great help.  We did allow them to have a break to eat lunch and enjoy the view!

Reported by Tim on 17th June 2021

I was in Brownstones today, and saw my first bee orchid of the year. Also a white Helleborine from yesterday.

Reported by Mike on 18th May 2021

The Cotswold Voluntary Wardens repaired and improved the steps leading up to the gate in the main Cotswold stone wall that is at the start of the footpath to Hartley Farm – see the following before and after photos.

Reported on 20th April 2021 by Geoff

A number of things have been happening on the Hill recently, including …

Salterley Quarry car park on Hartley Lane has been resurfaced so should be much more inviting to visitors.

There is now a coffee kiosk in Brownstones car park on the top of Hill off Hartley Lane.

Please enjoy it, but please drop your used cups in the bins provided and not on the ground. Thanks

Posted on FOLK’s Facebook Group on 21st March 2021

Chris says: We think we just saw a parrot on the hill near Hartley Lane farm … it was quite large, green with a striped bill.  Anyone lost a bird?  It’s very beautiful.

Reported 16th November 2020 by Geoff

Have you seen Brownstone Quarry Car Park recently?  It’s been significantly increased in size.

Unfortunately, on occasions, it is still getting full and people are parking on the roadsides restricting access. If this happens then please use Salterley Quarry Car Park instead.  You have to pass it when driving along Hartley Lane to Brownstones but it is easy to miss (see first photo below).  However, it is very large and never full (see second photo below).  Yes, you do have to walk up a steepish track to get on to the Hill proper but the Cotswold Wardens have now added steps to the track leading up from the rubbish bin to make it easier (see third photo below).  Give it a try sometime.

Reported 30th October 2020 by Clive

Leckhampton Hill Mountain Biking

It is great to see increased activity on Leckhampton Hill by all kinds of users.  But this has led to occasional friction between bikers and other users.

A group of riders, walkers, the Friends of Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings Common (FOLK) and Cheltenham Borough Council are working together to ensure that all users can use the hill safely.  This does not mean a Nanny State sanitisation of your favourite tracks.

Even though walking on the hill is a right whereas cycling is by the permission of the landowner, Cheltenham Borough Council, walking groups accept that it is not safe for them to use MTB (mountain biking) tracks.  Us riders will have to accept that we cannot just create tracks everywhere on this private land and designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The SSSI staus is the reason for the council’s funding of conservation work by the council and FOLK.

The main, well-established trails that we all know and love like Mainline and the Comings will remain with some warning signage for riders and walkers and, in some case, mods to reduce speed and improve lines of sight where they join walking paths.  You will see some of the minor more ad-hoc MTB tracks being blocked off because we are unable to make them safe for other users.  This is normally because they join walking tracks without the possibility of slowing or with poor visibility.  This is the small price we are going to have to pay for keeping the long-established trails on the hill.  So please work with us by not riding or reopening these trails so that we can maintain biking access on the hill whilst keeping other users safe.

If you do plan to do any digging on the hill, we ask that you speak to the Senior Warden, Wayne Sedgewick (07733014743, Wayne.Sedgwick@cheltenham.gov.uk) first.

Other contacts:

Leckhampton Downhill trails & trail fairy’s Facebook page

Clive Lewis, MTB Capt. C&CCC, mtb@cheltenhamandcounty.cc

Reported 8th October 2020 by Geoff

A couple of good developments on the Hill:  the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens have installed steps up the steep and slippery bank just above Bridge Car Park on Daisy Bank Road, and, Brownstone Quarry Car Park right on the top of the Hill is being about doubled in size and is now usable.

Reported 10th May 2020 by Tim

Some pictures of Fly Orchids and a Green-Veined White butterfly taken on the Hill.

Posted 9th May 2020 by FOLK Webmaster

Why not join FOLK’s facebook page to see what is happening on the Hill and Common.  There have been lots of posts and photos added this spring.  The group is unsurprisingly called ‘Friends of Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings Common’ and can be accessed by clicking on the facebook logo which can be found towards the top right-hand side of any page on the FOLK website.  Enjoy!

Reported 11th March 2020 by Gordon

Saw an adder near the Quarry car park this morning, looks pregnant. Was stretched out and my 2 dogs walked over the top of it and it coiled up as in the picture, lucky it wasn’t more awake otherwise the dogs could have been bitten.

Reported 17th December 2019 by Geoff

We had an interesting view during today’s work party.  Cheltenham disappeared in the mist and all we could see was Cleeve Hill popping out on the other side.

Reported 14th November 2019 by Geoff

We had a demonstration of a ‘Robocut’ machine on the Hill today.  It cuts through gorse and bramble very easily and is much faster than doing it by hand.  We may consider using it in the future.

Reported 24th October 2019 by Ken

FOLK is now one of the good causes in the Cheltenham Lottery.  By taking part in this lottery and nominating FOLK as your good cause, not only will you be helping FOLK but you might also win £25,000!  See our lottery page for more details.

 

Reported 12th September 2019 by Samantha

I snapped this beautiful but very unusual caterpillar on the path this morning.

Reported 8th August 2019 by Geoff

We were joined today at one of our regular work parties by 5 people from THB Group, a local company, as part of their company’s local volunteering support initiative.  They helped us a lot to cut and clear a large open area above Bridge Car Park on Daisy Bank Road and then they went on to do some litter picking on the Hill in the afternoon.  Thanks very much for your help, it was much appreciated.

Reported 7th July 2019 by Mike

FOLK had stalls at both the Charlton Kings Summer Fayre and Cheltenham Midsummer Fiesta recently.  We had a lot of visitors to the stalls and we successfully recruited 102 new members.  Wow!!

Charlton Kings Summer Fayre

Cheltenham Midsummer Fiesta

Reported 13th June 2019 by Geoff

Found some lovely bee orchids in Brownstone Quarry today.

Reported 4th June 2019 by Geoff

Disappointingly some person/s once again set fire to some patches of gorse on the top of Charlton Kings Common yesterday.  This is very disappointing behavior and damages the site and potentially the enjoyment of the many users and visitors to the area.  Fortunately a passing cyclist spotted the fire and called out the Fire Brigade who put out the fires.  I’m sure we are all very grateful for their speedy response.

Reported 12th May 2019 by Pete

FOLK again held a successful quiz night on Friday at The Wheatsheaf Inn with attendees from various local ‘Friends’ groups.  There were 8 teams and the winners were the Nits of the Round Table, with Friends of Hatherley Park second.  Thanks to all who attended and to the Wheatsheaf for their hospitality.

Reported 7th May 2019 by Tim

I saw these Early Purple orchids today.

Reported 3rd May 2019 by Geoff

The Cotswold Voluntary Wardens have been continuing their good works on the Hill.  As you can see from the photo below they have been making good progress with rebuilding the Cotswold stone wall at the Hartley Lane end of the Cotwold Way, and they have also installed some more new steps.  Thanks to them for their efforts.

Reported 8th April 2019 by Mike

Eleven members of the Southfield WI picked up litter on Friday, including on Leckhampton Hill.

We started at the Old Pates ground and the children’s play area. Other areas covered were the lay-byes, car parks and turning circle on Leckhampton Hill, Church Road and Kidnappers Lane. We did not find as much litter as usual. Some areas had obviously had the grass cut and litter cleared by others. It was however worth doing as you can see from the picture attached (more litter was added after this picture was taken).

Reported 24th March 2019 by Bob

There is to be a talk on Bumble Bee Conservation in Charlton Kings on Thursday 11th April at 7pm.  If you are interested please have a look at this flyer Bumble Bee Talk 11-04-19

Reported 14th March 2019 by Geoff

A number of gorse fires were set maliciously on Charlton Kings Common on Monday which required attendance by the fire brigade to put out.  Fortunately, with the recent wet and cold weather, they didn’t spread too far and hopefully the areas will recover.  If anybody would like to set fires on the site I would recommend that they join the FOLK work parties which frequently have fires, some being quite impressive, rather than starting uncontrolled fires.  Some of the damage done can be seen in the photos below.

Reported 24th February 2019 by Martin

There was a hoard of people working on the Hill today – see photos.  They were FOLK volunteers supported by local paragliders and were clearing away gorse to improve the area they use for preparing their gear and taking-off and landing.

Reported 19th December 2018 by Geoff

Not only have the Cotswold Wardens started building a cotswold stone wall they have also put some steps in on the footpath alongside it.

Reported 16th October 2018 by Mike

The Cotswold Voluntary Wardens are making good progress in building a new Cotswold stone wall at the South West end of the site alongside the Cotswold Way just above Hartley Lane.

Reported 18th August 2018 by Andy

Is this the beast of Leckhampton Hill? I keep seeing it, but never with anybody.
I can’t get close enough to see its collar as it seems shy. It’s constantly on the move and checking every other dog scent trail. It makes a point of doing its business under a fence & really keeps itself to itself, not even interested in any other dog that confronts it. I’m starting to think it’s just left home & someone is missing it. It looks quite well fed though. Seen here by the farm on Daisybank track. Last time out I saw it walking down the Tramway.

Reported 17th August 2018 by Alan

We found the Leckhampton Hill Nature Reserve walk on the ‘Walks With Wheelchairs’ website.

My wife and I were on holiday in Winchcombe with my mum who has mobility issues and uses a mobility scooter and we were looking for a walk all three of us could do together on a sunny day in mid-August.

After finding our way to the ‘Friends of Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings Common’ website we contacted local warden, Wayne Sedgwick, to get more information about the car park location and the nature of the path we were hoping to follow.

The walk involved a stretch of farm track that my mum found a bit bumpy to begin with but she said she got used to it after a while. She had to choose her route carefully at some points through the various bumps and ruts on the track but we made pretty good progress to the end of the track.

We decided to head straight for the trig point in the hope of getting the good views across to the Welsh hills that the warden had promised us – if the weather was good! We passed the old trig point and headed across a grassy field to the viewpoint which gave us a breathtaking view across the valley below, all the way to Wales.

The view was well worth the effort it took to get there. It was a windy spot but I’d taken the precaution of taking a windproof jacket along for my mum to wear as she sat on the scooter (even though it was a sunny day, because she was sitting, she was obviously a bit more vulnerable to the cold than we walkers were).

Full marks to the warden for taking the time to give us a clear explanation about finding the car park location and the encouragement to make it as far as the trig point.

Reported 9th August 2018 by Geoff

When we were up on a work party today we noticed that someone has painted the trig point.  It’s now quite jazzy!  But who has done this?  FOLK would love to know.  If you know, please contact us by email or facebook.

Reported 5th August 2018 by Chris Daish

I visited Leckhampton Hill for the first time today to do some drone photography.

I thought you might like to see a sample of the photos I produced.  You can also view a video via this youtube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swULOuQjdR0&t=74s

Reported 7th July 2018 by Pete

FOLK had a stall at the Mid-Summer Fiesta in Montpelier today.  We had a lot of visitors and managed to sign up 50 new members.  Really good!  Thanks to everyone who helped.

Reported 3rd July 2018 by Geoff

We have started to replace the FOLK noticeboards on the Hill with new ones that have been painted by Pittville School.  They make a nice change, as you can see from the photo below of the first one to be installed in Tramway Cottage Car Park.

Reported 25th June 2018 by Mike

We generated a lot of interest with our FOLK stall at the Charlton Kings Summer Fayre on Saturday.  As a result we signed up 29 new members.  Good effort by all.

Reported 29th May 2018 by Tim

I took the following photos of orchids and a large fungus on the Hill today.

Reported 3rd May 2018 by Geoff

The cowslips are looking particularly good on the Hill at the moment, and the violets are also making a nice showing.

Reported 22nd April 2018 by Chris

Spotted on Charlton Kings Common this morning: a Cuckoo, five Tree Pipits, seven Willow Warblers and two Stock Doves.

 

Reported 25th March 2018 by Geoff

The size of Tramway Cottage car park on Daisybank Road has been extended by the removal of a bank of earth.  This now allows perpendicular parking on both sides and has significantly increased the number of spaces available.  This will hopefully alleviate the problems at busy times.  It is already being put to good use!

Reported 24th March 2018 by Pete

A very successful quiz night was held at the Wheatsheaf Inn last night.  About 60 people attended, not just from FOLK but also from other local ‘Friends of’ groups.

Reported 2nd March 2018 by Geoff

I was enjoying a cold walk on the Hill in the snow when I came across this father and daughter making the most of a snow drift!

Reported 24th February 2018 by Geoff

Trees have now been removed from below the Bridge Car Park on Daisybank Road which means that there is now a good view down from the clearing above the car park through to Cheltenham and beyond.

Reported 7th February 2018 by Anne

Once again the Dexter cattle on the Hill have been winning, but this time they have excelled themselves!  The Midland Dexter Society has awarded them three first prizes: for Small Herd, Best Senior Cow Overall and Best Calf Overall.  Well done!

Reported 5th February 2018 by Kate

During 2017 we the Gloucestershire Bat Group carried out survey work on the Hill.  From the top of the Hill we found: lesser horseshoe bat, noctule and common pipistrelle.  From near the car park we had: Lesser horseshoe, long-eared, noctule and Myotis bats, as well as some calls we couldn’t pin down to a precise species.  Interestingly, lesser horseshoe bats, a nationally rare species were recorded regularly on top of the hill each night, and only a
short while after sunset.

Lesser Horseshoe Bat

For more information, go to our bat page.

Reported 22nd December 2017 by Ken

I took this photo about a month ago at the end of Daisy Bank Road where it becomes a track , not far from the gate.

Reported 11th October 2017 by Geoff

We were visited today by 7 volunteers from the local firm Kohler Mira who spent the day wandering around the hill doing litter picking.  They filled a large number of bags.  We are very grateful to them for their efforts.  But, it’s a pity people continue to spoil our Hill by leaving litter behind!!

Reported 11th August 2017 by Chris

Two Goshawks (m & F) over Leckhampton Hill early morning, a patch tick (very unusual for this area).  Also two Willow Warblers, six Bullfinches and a Raven.

Reported 10th August 2017 by Geoff

Lots of people taking off from the Hill with their hang-gliders today while we were enjoying a work party.  You can see 14 of them in this photo!

Reported 6th July 2017 by Chris

Seen on the escarpment of Charlton Kings Common this morning: a Marsh tit, a Raven, a Tree Pipit singing, several Yellowhammers, two Skylarks and a hunting Kestrel. Also numerous Marbled White butterflies.

Reported 17th June 2017

FOLK held a social night of skittles and BBQ at the Somerset Arms last night.  This was enjoyed by all those attending.

Reported 21st May 2017 by Tim

Finally got to find the Fly orchids on the Gallops today.  Also found some White Helleborine and Early Purple orchids.  I took these photos.

Reported 18th May 2017 by Pete

Snapped this picture of a fly orchid today. Thought it might be worth putting on the website.

Reported 15th May 2017

Tonight, Mike Donnelly was awarded the Cheltenham Medal of Honour 2017 at the Town Hall for his services to the Community, particularly his stalwart support of FOLK.

Reported 1st May 2017 by John

A visit to Charlton Kings Common on May 1 showed that the breeding season for birds is in full swing. Summer visitors were clearly establishing territories, with many Willow Warblers singing along Daisybank Road, whilst Blackcaps were less numerous but widely distributed. At least 3 males of the scarce Tree Pipit were heard or seen. Amongst the residents the male Yellowhammers and Linnets were particularly spectacular in their breeding plumage. The small and skulking Goldcrest and Treecreeper were heard rather than seen. The patrolling Sparrowhawk posed an obvious threat to all species.

Reported 24th April 2017 by Geoff

Lots of spring flowers starting to show now, particularly cowslips at the moment.

Reported 9th April 2017 by Chris

A Grasshopper Warbler reeling on Charlton Kings Common at sunrise this morning at SO955185.  Also three Willow Warblers, five Blackcaps, and five Chiffchaffs also in the area.

Reported 3rd April 2017 by Webmaster

An amazing video of Leckhampton Hill has been produced by Callum Chaplin using a drone.  You can view it by visiting our Site Description page.

Reported 17th March 2017 by Wayne

The Owl Conservation Trust has installed 10 owl boxes on the site to try to encourage Barn, Tawny and Small Owls.  They will be monitoring them for use.

Reported 26th February by Geoff

It was really lovely to hear the skylarks high up in the sky singing their little hearts out today.  We were crossing the field on the footpath from Hartley Farm to the Cotswold stone wall on Leckhampton Hill.  Is this a sign that spring is just around the corner?  I hope so.

Reported 1st February 2017 by Geoff

FOLK volunteers were invited by Cheltenham Mayor Chris Ryder to join her in the Mayor’s Parlour, on two afternoons this week, for tea and cakes as a thank you for all the work done by them on the Hill.  Chris has been a long time member and supporter of FOLK and it was an opportunity for the volunteers to thank her for her continuing support.  They were very enjoyable visits, as witnessed by the photos below.

Reported 15th January 2017 by Serena

Our very own patch is one of 43 walks featured in the 2nd edition of Butterfly Walks in Gloucestershire recently produced by the local branch of Butterfly Conservation, the charity dedicated to ‘Saving butterflies, moths and our environment’.   A route, starting from Salterley (also known as Wagon) Quarry takes you through one of the best (but by no means the only) areas of the hill for viewing these delicate beauties, as well as guiding you to the local landmark of the Devil’s Chimney and for much of the route, affording excellent views out over the Severn Vale to the Malvern Hills and beyond.

The booklet is richly illustrated with colour photographs of the sites covered, species likely to be encountered, as well as a map showing the general location of each walk and individual maps of each walk described.  To help with timing your visit, a butterfly flight period chart based on local records has been included.

Copies of the booklet are available at a cost of £6.00 each (or 2 for £10) plus postage and packing £2.00.  Details can be found on http://www.gloucestershire-butterflies.org.uk/

 

Reported 2nd December 2016 by Geoff

You may have seen a lot of work going on recently over on the East end of the site between the Gallops track and the old Cirencester Road and wondered what is going on.  Well, this area, know as Hopkins Fields, is being fenced in to provide another area of secure grazing land that can be used by the Dexter cattle at times when they need to be moved off the Hill.  This work has involved a lot of tree felling and clearance work as well as fence erection.  During the work the remnants of an old Cotswold stone wall has been uncovered which it is hoped can be rebuilt.

img_1475-hopkins

Reported 11th October 2016 by Andrew

I’ve attached a picture taken this morning.  No, it’s not Kilimanjaro, it’s Cleeve Hill seen from Leckhampton Hill across the fog engulfing Charlton Kings.

Autumn_View

Reported 18th August 2016 by Geoff

Once again volunteers from local company Kohler Mira donated their time yesterday to come and do some litter picking on Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings Common.  We are always very grateful to those who pick up litter left on the site.  It’s just a shame that some people drop their litter, and filled dog poo bags (why!!), and leave it for someone else to sort out.  Thanks again to the lads from Kohler Mira.  You will be welcome back any time.

IMG_8347

Kohler Mira volunteers about to start litter picking

IMG_8348

Bags of rubbish collected

Reported 19th July 2016 by Andrew

I saw the following butterflies on the Hill on 14th July.

IMG_4334-AB-Large-Skippers IMG_4337-AB-Silver-Washed-Fritillary

Another photo of a Silver Washed Fritillary taken in August last year showing the variations in colour is included below.

IMG_3018-JP-Silver-Washed-Fritillary

Reported 11th July 2016 by Rick

Forty one children completed the Countryside Code quiz at FOLK’s stall at the Midsummer Fiesta.  No-one got every question correct, but several had six of the seven questions right, so there was a draw for the winner.  The lucky winners of a family entry ticket kindly donated by the Cotswold Farm Park were Ruby Garrett aged 11 and her sister Gracie aged 9, shown pictured with their mother.  The quiz question which caused the problems asked what you should do if farm animals chase you and your dog.  The official Countryside Code advice is as follows:  If cattle or horses chase you and your dog, it is safer to let your dog off the lead – don’t risk getting hurt by trying to protect it. Your dog will be much safer if you let it run away from a farm animal in these circumstances and so will you.

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FOLK signed up a record number of sixteen new members on the day.  A “raffle” draw from the membership forms was made for the generously donated prize of a meal for two at The Royal in Charlton Kings.  Peter and Anthea Lewis were the lucky winners, shown here holding The Royal’s voucher.  Peter is also intending to join us on some of the work parties!

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Reported 4th July 2016 by Mike

FOLK had a stall at the Midsummer Fiesta held in Montpellier Gardens on Saturday.  Although the event didn’t officially start until 12pm, at 11:11am we had already signed up two new FOLK members for five years!  The weather was quite kind with only two light showers and some very welcome sunshine.  We had good interest in the history of the Hill display on the stand, although visitor numbers to the Fiesta and hence our stand were lower than last year. We also had a visit from Cheltenham’s Mayor Chris Ryder who is a long term member of FOLK.  By the end of the day we had signed up 16 new members and 41 children had entered our Countryside Code Quiz.  A very successful day!  We will be contacting the prize winners in due course.

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Reported 24th June 2016 by Eleanor

A ‘Fun and Flowers’ day was held on the Hill last Saturday.  This was part of the ‘Magnificent Meadows’ project (see http://www.magnificentmeadows.org.uk/conserve-restore/cotswolds for more information on the project).  A fund and informative day was had by all those who attended, as testified by the photos below.

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Reported 19th June 2016 by Tim

FOLK Volunteers/Cotswold Voluntary Wardens organised a ‘Save Our Magnificent Meadows’ walk yesterday.  Twelve people took part. The walk was six miles and took three and a half hours – we had lots of stops to point out the flowers and anything else that took our attention. Unfortunately it was too cold and windy for much butterfly activity.

Three of the walkers were new to the hill! It was a lively and sociable group with lots of questions asked along the way. Everyone appeared to enjoy themselves. The rain held off and there were good views from the hill most of time.

Some photos taken during the walk are included below.

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Reported 4th June 2016 by Alistair

The photos below are of Great Butterfly Orchids spotted on the Hill above Daisybank Road.

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Reported 31st May 2016 by Andrew

Some photos of butterflies I’ve taken recently on the Hill.

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Reported 20th May 2016 by Alistair

The display of cowslips in the Cowslip Field (follow the Cotswold Way off the hill to the southeast towards Hartley Lane) is near its best now.

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No orchids evident yet, except for some Twayblades.

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Reported 1st May 2016 by Serena

On a walk along the Leckhampton Hill western boundary footpath I came across the newly installed steps (by FOLK volunteers) which are a great safety improvement.  Well done and thank you.  (See before and after photos below.)

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There were sounds of spring all around, with a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming at regular intervals close to the incline slope, Meadow Pipits uttering their trilling song whilst performing their display flight on the slopes of the eastern edge of Charlton Kings Common and Skylarks delivering their contribution in prolonged flight all over the site.

Reported 28th April 2016 by Tim

I saw this adder on the hill today. Actually it was just below the Cheltenham Borough Council owned land, at the top of Sandy Lane on the Golf Course land.

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Reported 14th April 2016 by Geoff

You may notice that an area on the slopes of Charlton Kings Common above the Gallops has been fenced off and electrified.  This is to form an ‘exclosure’ to stop the cattle, and deer hopefully, from grazing this patch of grassland.  It is intended to be operational throughout the flowering season until July to see whether or not excluding the grazing cattle from this area has an impact on the number of wild flowers and invertebrates.  There is some anecdotal evidence that the grazing has reduced the number of flowers and so the aim of this trial, which is likely to be repeated next year, is to check this more scientifically by doing surveys within the exclosed area and the adjacent area that the cattle will still have access to.

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Reported 14th April 2016 by Tim

The spring flowers are now starting to appear on the Hill with violets in full flower and cowslips starting to appear.

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Reported 1st April 2016 by Rick

IMG_20160331_122317038I was inspired by the recent excellent talk by Ray Wilson on the Industrial Archaeology of the Hill to take another walk down the Bottom Incline to Leckhampton Road.  The pair of uprights forming part of the old pulley system at the top of the incline were interesting to look at, as well as this good row of blocks which were used for supporting and securing the old rail sections.

 

There is always something of interest on the Hill.  Yesterday there was a large gathering of paragliders from all parts of the region launching into the gentle Northerly wind, and more than 40 vehicles in and around Brownstones car park!

Reported 21st March 2016 by Mike

18 FOLK volunteers joined in a litter pick on the Honeybourne Line as part of the ‘Clean for the Queen’ initiative.  This resulted in so much waste that we filled one of Ubico’s larger vans and they had to go away and come back for a second load!  Thanks to all the volunteers who made the litter pick so successful.

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Reported 1st March 2016 by Geoff

When we were walking back from Sunday’s work party we spotted a rare deer in a dell nearby ‘5-Ways’ at the top of the Sandy Lane track.  Luckily it stayed still long enough for us to take a photo!

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Reported 18th February 2016 by Wayne

Cheltenham Borough Council have installed a new interpretation panel local to the limekilns to explain the industrial history of Leckhampton Hill.

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Reported 9th January 2016 by Andrew

The Hill in bloom in early January. The Gorse you would expect, but the daffodil is showing optimism in the extreme. Both pictures taken this morning.

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Reported 11th December 2015 by Anne

Earlier in 2015 it was decided by the Charlton Kings Common grazier, Anne North, to enter her Dexter herd in the Midland Dexter Group Herd competition.  In August the judging took place when judge Mike Bancroft (a well known figure in Dexter circles as breeder and judge) visited Charlton Kings Common and Daisybank Fields to view the cows at pasture.  He travelled all round the Midlands to see all herds entered in the competition.

The results were announced at the Midland Dexter Group AGM at Stoneleigh on 6th December and Anne and family were astounded to learn that they had been awarded First place in the Small Herd category.  Their herd was the only one engaged in conservation grazing amongst the herds visited by the judge and he was most impressed with the condition and presence of the cows in their somewhat wild and rugged environment.

Dexter-Cattle-3a  Congratulations to Anne and family.

Reported 11th September 2015 by Geoff

Crowds of people gathered excitedly on the Hill today to witness a fly-past by the last flying Vulcan bomber on its grand tour of the UK before it is permanently grounded.  The press said it would fly over Leckhampton Hill … well, it flew round the hill, at a distance, so we couldn’t see or hear it too well!  But we did see it, witness the photo below, with a bit of help from Photoshop!

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Reported 30th September 2015 by Geoff

The Cotswold Voluntary Wardens have been busy working on the Hill and have opened up two new viewpoints on the top nearby the topograph.  There are seats, one new, by these viewpoints which are already being enjoyed.

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They have also cleared the area below these viewpoints, called the ‘butterfly motorway’ by some, which had become very overgrown.  Thanks Cotswold Voluntary Wardens.

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Reported 21st August 2015 by Geoff

The FOLK work parties have recently been focused on removing Hemp Agrimony from the slopes above the ‘Gallops’ on Charlton Kings Common.  Hemp Agrimony can spread rapidly and form dense patches that kill off the grassland we are trying to protect.  We have been working on its removal for a few years now and we seem to be winning.Hemp-Agrimony-Bryn-Euryn

There are no longer any large, dense patches of the plant which the grazing cattle ignore.  Instead we now have only lightly populated patches which the cattle are grazing.  Hopefully, with the help of the cattle and the occasional work party we now have this under control.  Time will tell!

Reported 7th August 2015 by Rick

Ollie Wilkins, aged 8, was the second name drawn from the children who got all the answers correct on the wildlife quiz run from the FOLK stand at the Midsummer Fiesta.  The Wilkins live on the edge of Prestbury and Ollie is pictured here holding his prize of a useful identification chart for garden birds, kindly donated by John Harvey.Ollie-Wilkins-runner-up

Reported 16th July 2015 by Rick

FOLK ran a well-attended stall at the successful Midsummer Fiesta in the Park in Montpellier Gardens on 4th July.  FOLK were pleased to welcome 15 new members who joined on the day, and a draw was held for a meal for two at the Royal in Charlton Kings.  The lucky winner was Helen Nye, seen here holding the voucher, kindly donated by the Royal.  The Nye family live in Charlton Kings and are regular walkers on the hill.Helen-Nye-Fiesta-Winner

There was lots of interest, too, in the children’s quiz about wildlife to be found on the hill.  Several children submitted correct answer sheets, so there was a draw which was won by Clara Dykes aged 10.  She is pictured with her family, who are all looking forward to using the free family ticket generously provided by the Cotswold Farm Park.Clara-Dykes-Fiesta-Winner

Reported 9th July 2015 by Geoff

We were very grateful to 4 workers from Kohler Mira who donated their work’s volunteer day to Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings Common.  They spent the yesterday walking all over the Hill and Common collecting rubbish.  In all they collected 8 large black plastics sacks full, and 3 abandoned tents!  A very worthwhile effort.

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If any other companies/workers would like to volunteer then please do contact FOLK.

Reported 6th July 2015 by Mike

On a lovely sunny day the FOLK stand at Saturday’s Midsummer Fiesta in Montpellier Gardens was busy all day, from before the 12 o`clock official opening time right up to the closure at 6`clock.  Nine FOLK volunteers worked a rota to man the stand.  It is estimated that over 10,000 attended the event. FOLK volunteers handed out nearly 100 business cards to interested members of the public, we signed up 15 new members including Alex Chalk the towns new MP. The children`s nature competition was very popular with over 40 entries completed. A great day with much support for the efforts made by FOLK to maintain the commons for public use.

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Reported 25th June 2015 by John H

The grassland to the east of the Hill Fort currently has a good number of orchids in flower over most of this area. There are many fewer Orchids showing within the Hill Fort, but a few patches where they are fairly dense.

However, the most remarkable feature of these areas of grass today, but again most impressive outside the Hill Fort, was the massive number of plants of Yellow Rattle that were creating a virtual carpet. I have never, in 40 years as a plant ecologist, before seen such a dense and extensive population of this species.

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Yellow Rattle is of course a semi-parasite, individual plants getting much of their food from the roots of grasses that they tap into. This inevitably weakens the grasses, as is very evident on the site at the moment, but this opening up of the sward has been shown to create sites that can be colonised by some of the desirable plant species characteristic on semi-natural grassland, so this parasitism can be a benefit to conservation rather than a threat.

Yellow Rattle, the name comes from the noise made when the seed filled pods are shaken, is an annual and is soon lost from a site if it is not allowed to set seed. Often the abundance of Yellow Rattle can fluctuate over the years. After a year with a large number of plants, then the grasses may be so weakened that the parasite’s seed production is reduced so that the next years population must be smaller, or that the grasses do not recover adequately in the second year to support a large new population. This pattern can show itself as a wave of Yellow Rattle that moves across a grassland over the years.

Reported 23rd June 2015 by Serena

High summer butterflies are now flying – Small and Large Skippers, Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns and Ringlets.

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Orchids are looking good, especially Bee, Common Spotted and Pyramidal as well as the diminutive Musk.

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Reported 19th June 2015 by Geoff

Have you seen Salterley Quarry Car Park recently?  Contractors working for Cheltenham Borough Council have levelled and re-compacted the surface so instead of a difficult and uneven entry and parking area it’s now nice and level.  There’s lots of space here so why not use it instead of fighting for space in Daisybank Road or Brownstones car park.  A photo of the new surface is shown below.  If you are not sure where this car park is then see the map at Locations.  One thing to be aware of though is that there is a 1.9metre height barrier at the entrance.

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Reported 17th June 2015 by Pete N.

Saw a newly emerged Ringlet on the hill on Monday – the first I have seen this year.

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Reported 15th June 2015 by Tim

This is a GPS map of the Magnificent Meadows walk held on Saturday morning.
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We had seven brave souls on the walk, and saw five species of orchid, but nothing of the views! The White Helleborines were especially lovely in the gloom!  The cattle behaved and posed impeccably.
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In the afternoon we had only two people turn up. I did a slightly longer walk to include the Devil’s Chimney, because they were both from out of the area. It was even wetter, but we did get some brief glimpses of Cheltenham from the top of Windas Hill.

Reported 12th June 2015 by Russell

During my butterfly survey on Monday I was lucky to see 2 Duke of Burgundy Butterflies together with lots of Common Blues & Small Heath.  4 red kites were circling above the top of Charlton kings common, mixing with some buzzards & landing on the adjacent farmland. Curiously a Roe deer was crossing the field as if wanting to investigate the red kites, but retreating when it detected my presence. A Kestrel also made an appearance,
hovering above the slopes of the common.

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Reported Monday 1st June 2015 by Russell

I took these photos during a Butterfly id session on Sunday, in and around Brownstone quarry. Although not of butterflys, I thought they may be of some interest for the website.

They are of: Wood Tiger moth; Scorpion fly – panorpa sp. ; Frog Hopper – Ceropsis sp. ; Beetle Oedemeridae sp. & an unknown insect perhaps in a transitional stage.

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Reported Friday 22nd May 2015 by Guy

Fly Orchid is in flower now but it will be well past its best by late June, though there might still be a few recognisable flowers.  Some White Helleborines are just starting to flower, but again they will mostly be over by late June.  There are few Greater Butterfly Orchid flower spikes and these too will be over or nearly over by late June.

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Reported Thursday 21st May by Andrew

Early sightings made of the Common Blue and Small Heath butterflies today.

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Reported Thursday 21st May 2015 by Geoff

Have you seen what Cheltenham Borough Council and their contractors have been doing recently?  They have added over 500 tonnes of stones to tracks and paths over the Hill and Common where they were prone to be muddy in wet weather – see below.

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They have also been working on the ruins of the limekilns.  A fence has been placed around the ruins and they have been repointed and stabilised – see below.

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Reported Tuesday 19th May 2015 by Alistair

Twayblade orchids spotted nearby where the FOLK work party were having a fire.  Actual picture below.

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Reported Thursday 14th May 2015 by Geoff

Heard a cuckoo during a work party.  Probably not the first to have been heard this year but the first by me!

Reported Monday 11th May 2015 by Serena

The first sighting for this year of the Duke of Burgundy butterfly on Charlton Kings Common was this afternoon just above the golf course.  Also of note was a Painted Lady – a butterfly usually associated with high summer!

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Reported Monday 4th May 2015 by Serena

I managed to fit in a “lap” of the hill this weekend, and although I only saw one butterfly (speckled wood) on my way back down Sandy Lane, I thought the cowslips on the hill fort were looking particularly good and, given another week, so will those in the Cowslip field.   There were also a few Early Purple Orchids beginning to show along the top of the scarp slope mid way along the eastern section of Charlton Kings common (above the golf course), as well as more in the same area but near the bottom of the slope but above the Gallops track, in an area cleared of gorse but which now has a quantity of bramble regrowth

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Reported Monday 4th May 2015 by Pete N.

On the hill yesterday, saw green hairstreak and dingy skipper butterflies on the western grass slopes at the Hartley lane/quarry end of the hill. These possibly represent the first sightings this year on the hill – or at the very least evidence that they are active now. Something for nature lovers to look out for.

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Reported Tuesday 21st April 2015 by Geoff

During the FOLK Work Party today, some volunteers spotted two adders basking on a wood pile – alongside where we were piling up scrub cuttings!  Actual photo shown below.

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Tree Felling in April

Please note that felling of old and potentially unstable larch trees is due to start on 3rd April in the area East of the limekiln ruins above Daisy Bank Road car parks.  This work is planned to occur on 3, 4, 11, 12, 13, 14 April.  There may be restrictions on access to some paths and mountain bike trails during this work.

Tramper Route Improvements in March

The ‘Tramper Route’ for mobility scooters is to be levelled, resurfaced and extended in March.  The two routes affected run from Brownstones car park to the entrance to the ramparts via Hill Farm and from the exit of the ramparts to Hartley Lane along the Cotswold Way.

New webpage on Cotswold Stone Walls

We’ve added a new page to the website that identifies the Cotswold stone walls, regardless of condition, that can be found on the site.  Go to Cotswold Stone Walls