{"id":1140,"date":"2026-08-15T08:23:06","date_gmt":"2026-08-15T08:23:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chirurgean.net\/?page_id=1140"},"modified":"2026-08-15T08:23:06","modified_gmt":"2026-08-15T08:23:06","slug":"gayles-common","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chirurgean.net\/?page_id=1140","title":{"rendered":"Gayles Common"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The common renovation was instigated and developed by the Quarry Hill Common Committee. The initial supervision of this project to maturity has now completed.<br>Maintenance of this village asset will be continued by volunteers old and new. A WhatsApp will be set up and care of the common will be restarted in the spring. In the meantime, gully clearing continues to keep West Street from being renamed West Beck! (See the blue dashed line on the aerial photo below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The tree house in the large tree by the beck is being renewed. Perhaps this is the 3rd incarnation. Watch this space for news<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The history of this project has been collated and uploaded to this site. A list of past volunteers and their place in the history will follow. &nbsp;If you have a story, please get in touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\" id=\"attachment_458\"><a href=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/?attachment_id=458\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/IMG_2551-972x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-458\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Where to roam<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The paths are strimmed but may have nettles at the edge so watch out with bare legs. The paths and the football pitch are marked in light green. The huts are brown and the beck is blue (dry for most of the year)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was formed out of an old limestone quarry on the hillside leading up to Fendom Ranges. This quarry was on the west edge of Gayles. There are the remains of a sandstone quarry to the east of the village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\" id=\"attachment_228\"><a href=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/?attachment_id=228\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/5F143CAC-3DBB-4C92-AAE7-02E134D56D61-2-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-228\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">View over Holmedale<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/?attachment_id=230\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/DF673C78-2919-4512-BD7D-79B7ADFFFD9F-2-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-230\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\" id=\"attachment_227\"><a href=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/?attachment_id=227\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/3BE28A67-A0F1-4C7E-9A4E-CE2D234FA489-2-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-227\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Activities \u2013 tyre swing and bar swing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\" id=\"attachment_234\"><a href=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/?attachment_id=234\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/IMG_5677-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-234\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">New bench on the common<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\" id=\"attachment_233\"><a href=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/?attachment_id=233\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/IMG_5676-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-233\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">bridge over the beck<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/?attachment_id=231\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/IMG_5673-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-231\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\" id=\"attachment_232\"><a href=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/?attachment_id=232\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/IMG_5674-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-232\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">wire cages to prevent logs blocking the underground beck<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\" id=\"attachment_404\"><a href=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/?attachment_id=404\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/IMG_4301-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-404\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The stream does run when it rains heavily<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mowing The Common<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Keep the mower on the highest cut setting \u2013 the ground is uneven and not like your lawn\u00a0.<br>Strim the paths only.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Eye and ear protection are vital.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>BEWARE OF HEDGEHOGS &amp; LEVERETS WHEN STRIMMING<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Burning rubbish<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This activity has now ceased. A licence to burn rubbish is required on common land and as no such licence has been granted (or indeed sought), this activity has now ceased<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Composting<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This may restart soon &nbsp;\u2013 confirmation required<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The History \u2013 or how it was done<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\" id=\"attachment_1110\"><a href=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/?attachment_id=1110\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/2021-01-1711.15-1024x726.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1110\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Northern Echo 24\/01\/2008<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\" id=\"attachment_1111\"><a href=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/?attachment_id=1111\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_7808-1024x311.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1111\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Darliington &amp; Stockton Times Dec 2011<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\" id=\"attachment_1109\"><a href=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/?attachment_id=1109\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_7809-471x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1109\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Teesdale Mercury Dec 2011<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\" id=\"attachment_1113\"><a href=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/?attachment_id=1113\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/2021_01_17_11_18_36-1024x721.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1113\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The common before all the hard work<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"http:\/\/gayles.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Quarry-Hill-Common.pdf\">Quarry Hill&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The plan is to \u00a0access the common via a series of paths (a path is created where we walk). We do not want to convert the common into a billiard smooth sculpted garden. Please only control grass and weeds on the current paths and picnic\/play areas (overhanging nettles and thistles are however, fair game)\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/gayles.info\/?page_id=229#fnr1-6994\">&#x21a9;\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We have a wide range of wildlife in the village that uses overgrown areas for nesting \u2026 hedgehogs, mice, birds and great crested newts. I\u2019ve even seen a hare so potentially leverets as well.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/gayles.info\/?page_id=229#fnr2-6994\">&#x21a9;\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You know it makes sense\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/gayles.info\/?page_id=229#fnr3-6994\">&#x21a9;\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/\">Proudly powered by WordPress<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The common renovation was instigated and developed by the Quarry Hill Common Committee. The initial supervision of this project to maturity has now completed.Maintenance of this village asset will be continued by volunteers old and new. A WhatsApp will be set up and care of the common will be restarted in the spring. In the meantime, gully clearing continues to keep West Street from [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1140","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chirurgean.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1140","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chirurgean.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chirurgean.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chirurgean.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chirurgean.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1140"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/chirurgean.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1140\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1141,"href":"https:\/\/chirurgean.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1140\/revisions\/1141"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chirurgean.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1140"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}