Brooks Field and Pond
Brooks Field is located on Old Loose Hill alongside Loose stream and is owned and maintained by the Parish Council. For many years it was threatened with development. In the past it has been an orchard, a butterfly farm in greenhouses (now demolished) and a facility for growing flowers for drying. In 2000, however the land and adjacent millpond were kindly sold to the Parish Council by its owner, a local farmer, who agreed that the field should be maintained as a public open space.
​
The Parish Council decided to keep the area in its relatively natural state. The hedges on either side of the field have been restored, old metal gates replaced with wooden ones, and wild flowers encouraged. The pond is cleared annually of the vigorous growth of reeds and watercress by local volunteers.
​
The area is rich in wildlife. Kingfishers, herons, egrets and grey wagtails are often seen along the stream. The scrub/woodland strip on the north boundary is an important east-west eco corridor for wildlife in the Loose valley and is home to a family of badgers.
​
A community wood, comprising of specialist oak trees, has been planted in the top corner of the field and is known locally, as 'Roy's Wood', in memory of the late Councillor Roy Hood who lived in the village all his life and served on Loose Parish Council for over 40 years. Roy was a keen environmentalist and a great lover of trees, so it was felt that this would be a fitting tribute and bring enjoyment to all visitors to Brooks Field. An information board gives details on the trees and foliage.
​
At a Parish Council meeting held on the 18th May 2015 it was agreed that dogs would not be allowed onto the field. There may be exceptions for special events, but only if requests are submitted to Loose Parish Council and formally agreed, in advance of the event.
​
In 2023, Brooks Field was granted "Village Green Status" to protect it from any future development. ​
​
Climbing to the top of the slope, then pausing a while to take in the scenery from either the carved "pig bench" or the King's coronation commemorative bench is highly recommended!
Rewilding of Brooks Field
Since 2019, using external (non-precept) funding and local volunteers, Loose Parish Council has been creating a new wild flower meadow in Brooks Field. For each phase, a volunteer and his digger removed the turf and topsoil to receive a mix of wild flower seed which germinated successfully.
During the spring and summer seasons since 2020, the area has been vibrant and colourful with poppies, daisies, cornflowers, yellow rattle, ladies bedstraw and white campion. This mix had been specially selected to attract bees, butterflies and pollinators.
​
The wild flower meadow will be extended further in 2025 and if you would like to get involved, please contact the Parish Council at office@loose-pc.gov.uk
​
