Superintendent’s Report

We have had another successful grazing season; working effectively with the graziers resulted in a fine presentation of cattle across the Moors. Our strong grazing and acquisition network means our strategy for cattle purchase and sale is working well and we intend to continue to nurture these successful business partnerships.

Bottle Digging

The problem of individuals digging for old bottles on the site of the historic rubbish tips under Nuns Moor has once again arisen. You will recall that previously we arranged for the majority of the site to be professionally cleared, however illegal digging has recommenced in areas near to the tree lines, leaving large pits on the Moors and causing damage to the tree roots as well as creating a significant safety issue for pedestrians, their pets and of course, livestock. I am working closely with City Council enforcement officers and Northumbria Police to try to address this situation and hopefully identify the individuals responsible.

Nuns Moor South strategy

We are delighted that after a major amount of effort and resource from the Freemen and in consultation with City Council officers the long running works on Nuns Moor south, at the corner

of Brighton Grove/Barrack Road, are now completed. The new drainage system is working and the new pasture is establishing well. The pasture now needs to gain strength and stability; with this in mind it is planned to return the area to grazing for the 2022 season. The new vista from Brighton Grove and Fenham Hall Drive is stunning and will be enjoyed by many thousands of people using this main route into the City. This new area of open space will provide a much-needed facility for air and exercise for the local communities, making this previously closed off and partly derelict site into an area of beauty and public open space is an achievement the Freemen can be rightly proud of.

Climate Change/Tree planting

Climate Change and biodiversity are current areas of public concern. The Freemen, who are possibly the longest existing environmental protection group in the World, with a track record of protecting and maintaining our green spaces going back over 800 years, are keen to continue to support climate change mitigation and are aware of the role that the Town Moors have and will continue to have in achieving this. We are working on tree planting schemes to maintain and extend the arboreal assets on the Moors. This will be done, of course, without impacting on grazing or the character of the Moors. Recently 60 trees were planted in the verges of Grandstand Road as part of work to maintain the wonderful tree avenues we have around the Moors.

Guildhall

The condition of the Guildhall and the need for maintenance of the building continues to give concern. We are liaising with City Council officers to ensure they are aware of the concern and the need for appropriate action. Work continues on the development of the Hard Rock Café on the ground floor of the building, the works have caused major problems with dust throughout the main Court area and the Merchants Hall; these have now been addressed through the City Council.

Events 2020

As you are aware, all events due to take place on the Moors in 2020 were cancelled. Subject to a resolution of the Covid-19 issues we are hoping for a full programme of events to return in 2021 and have commenced initial discussions regarding some of the larger events.