Build a Brash Pile by The Firs
Text on the noticeboard
'This strip of land—known as The Firs Verge—is managed by Claygate Parish Council, assisted by a local contractor and volunteers.
'It plays host to a wonderful variety of trees and over 30 species of wildflowers.
'In order to keep the trees and shrubs healthy, it is occasionally necessary to cut or coppice them, and this is undertaken on a rotational basis to maintain a variety of habitats.
'The brash pile you see here is made up of recent cuttings and will rot down over time.
'This has several benefits. Deadwood provides a very valuable resource for fungi and wildlife including stag beetles, solitary bees and many other insects. In addition, it's a very secure nesting site for small birds and hedgehogs. Frogs and newts may also use it as an overwintering site.
'Thank you for supporting our environmental work.'
Actions agreed 17th July 2025
| Action № | Date Created | Description | By | Status |
| E㉕022 | 17-JUL-25 | To write to the resident who suggested there may be rats in the brash pile. | Cllr Bray | COMPLETED by 28-AUG-25 |
Minutes of the 17th July 2025 meeting
| To discuss the brash pile on The Firs verge. |
| A resident had written to the Clerk noting the sighting of a rat at the brash pile and seeking CPC’s response. Cllr Bray had consulted Bill Raspin who in turn had consulted professional pest controllers, who had told him what evidence to look for to prove the presence of a colony of rats. Bill noted that there is, currently, no such evidence. Accordingly the committee agreed that, while we should keep the matter under monitor, no action as such is required at present. Cllr Bray to write to the resident to confirm this. ACTION – Cllr Bray E㉕022 |
| (extract from Environment, Highways, and Transport Committee meeting, 17th July 2025, item 17) |
Actions agreed 24th April 2025
| Action № | Date Created | Description | By | Status |
| E㉕016 | 24-APR-25 | Put up a notice to explain the reasons for the brash pile at the Firs. | Cllr Bray | COMPLETED by 17-JUL-25 |
Minutes of 24th April 2025 meeting
| To discuss the brash pile at the Firs verge. |
| The Clerk had been approached by a some Claygate residents regarding the brash pile and it possibly becoming unsightly. It was agreed that we would put up a notice to explain the reasons for the pile. ACTION - Cllr Bray E㉕016 |
| (extract from Environment, Highways, and Transport Committee meeting, 24th April 2025, item 13) |
Minutes of 6th February 2025 meeting
| To discuss the installation of a brash pile for the Firs verge. | |
Cllr Holt reported that she had been contacted about having a brash pile on the Firs verge.
| |
| (extract from Environment, Highways, and Transport Committee meeting, 6th February 2025, item 15) |
Achievements claimed on 2nd April 2024
- PARISH COUNCIL ACHIEVEMENT 2ND APRIL 2024: "Assisted the CVA by taking three vanloads of cuttings to the Leatherhead Recycling Centre following the removal of large quantities of over-growth along The Firs verge between Dalmore Avenue and Foley Road."
