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Henfield is fortunate to have nearly 50 acres of ancient commons
(Broadmare, Henfield and Oreham) all of which are registered as
sites of Nature Conservation Importance. They comprise a mixture
of grassland, wetland, reedbed, woodland and ponds, supporting a
wide variety of plants and wildlife. In days gone by they would
have seen cattle, sheep and geese grazing. On Henfield Common, where
fairs have been held as far back as 1647, an old fashioned fair
is still held on alternate years. There too are the ancient cricket
pitch and the Memorial Playing Field, Henfield’s tribute to
its men and women who served in the  1939-45
World War. Broadmare Common, at the foot of Barrow Hill, has many
ponds where clay for bricks had once been extracted. Deer (roe and
muntjac) frequent Broadmare, and the nightingale can still be heard.
Eighty years ago there were very few trees on the commons, but now
woods have been allowed to develop on parts of all three. The Management
Committee (District/Parish Councillors and members of the public)
liaises closely with the Sussex Wildlife Trust. In 1993 the Tanyard
Field, an important unimproved meadow in the heart of the village,
came under Commons Management. Being entirely enclosed, it is periodically
grazed by sheep. An area with seats beside the Tanyard Pond provides
a quiet place for conversation, contemplation - and reflection.
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