Ewyas Harold Common Trust mourns land donor's death

Villagers in Ewyas Harold, nestled in the Golden Valley near the Welsh border, said the generous John Rogers, Lord of the Manor of Ewyas Harold for more than 60 years, let the common trust take over ownership of the land in 2020.

Under his stewardship the common at Ewyas Harold has become more popular with local walkers and has maintained wildlife, the group said.

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In his usual community spirit, Mr Rogers made the decision to give the common to the local community and Ewyas Harold Common Trust took over the ownership just before lockdown in February 2020.

But, the trust says Mr Rogers has died at the age of 89.

He died on July 23, it said, and had owned Ewyas Harold Common for more than 40 years.

During that time he cared for the land and maintained it for the benefit of the commoners, the wider community and the wildlife, a spokesperson said.

In 2011, he entered it into the Environmental Stewardship Scheme on behalf of the commoners and then, nine years later, he generously gifted the common to the Ewyas Harold Common Trust.

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Trustees Caroline Hanks and Sue Young attended his memorial service in Itton church, near Chepstow in Monmouthshire, on behalf of the trust.

They said they learnt about his commitment to that church and community, to the wider farming community and to his interests in Africa.

For the trust, his legacy is in the very special piece of land which is Ewyas Harold Common.

"As the current custodians, the trust seeks to continue his work with a similar dedication," the spokesperson said.

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In 2020, Barbara Lloyd, of Cwm Hill Farm, said her family has known John ever since he bought the Common at auction in the 1960s.

She added: “John did everything he could over the years to support us farming next to the common and as commoners."

"This neighbourhood is blessed and very fortunate to inherit such an amenity”.

An oak bench was made for the common to mark the change of ownership in 2020, with John Rogers represented on the day by members of his family.

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